ANEMIA IN THE ELDERLY
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Clinical Overview |
| Laboratory Parameters |
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Laboratory Parameters in Anemia Diagnosis | |||
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Hemoglobin | |
Serum Ferritin | |
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Hematocrit | |
Serum Folate | |
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Total Reticulocyte Count |  |
Serum Vitamin B12 | |
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Serum Iron | |
The Schilling Test | |
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Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) | |
Serum Erythropoietin | |
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Vitamin B12 is important for DNA synthesis, metabolic reactions with folic acid, and maintenance of the neurologic system.
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Usual total daily requirements are 1-5 mcg and the body stores about 2-5 mg.13,15 The average diet contributes about 20 mcg of B12 daily such that it would take 3-4 years to develop a deficiency.13
Low levels are indicative of a vitamin B12 deficient, megaloblastic anemia.
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Site Reviewed August 2007
