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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Total Reticulocyte Count: 0.5-1.5% |
Reticulocytes develop into mature RBCs, are larger in size than RBCs, and contain remnant nuclear material. Reticulocyte count estimates the rate of red blood cell production.
Elevated reticulocyte count may indicate bleeding or hemolysis, whereas low reticulocyte counts may be indicative of inadequate bone marrow production or leukemia. A high reticulocyte count also indicates bone marrow is responding to erythropoietin whereas a normal reticulocyte count may suggest an impairment in this process.
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Site Reviewed August 2007
