A 62-year-old man has iron-deficiency anaemia on a routine blood test, with no symptoms. What is the most important next step?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Investigate the gastrointestinal tract for a bleeding source
- Step 1: Iron deficiency in an older man is usually due to chronic blood loss until proven otherwise. Step 2. Upper and lower gastrointestinal investigation looks for cancer, ulcer and angiodysplasia, alongside treatment with iron. Answer: Investigate the gastrointestinal tract for a bleeding source. Why not the others: Treating without investigation can miss a malignancy. B12 is not indicated for iron deficiency. Bone marrow biopsy is not first-line.
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