ANEMIA IN THE ELDERLY

	Clinical Overview
	Laboratory Parameters

		Laboratory Parameters in Anemia Diagnosis
		Hemoglobin		Serum Ferritin
		Hematocrit		Serum Folate
		Total Reticulocyte Count		Vitamin B12
		Serum Iron		The Schilling Test
		Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)		Erythropoietin

Serum Folate

Folic acid is necessary for the production of nucleic acids, amino acids, proteins, DNA and RNA.  It is usually found in dietary sources such as vegetables, fruit, yeast, mushrooms, and animal liver and kidneys.

Minimal daily requirement is 50-100 mcg.  The body stores about 10-20 mg of folate, which last about four to six months, making dietary supplementation necessary.^4,13 

Decreased folic acid levels may indicate a folate deficient megaloblastic anemia, possibly adjunctive to a vitamin B₁₂ deficiency.

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Site Reviewed August 2007