Zoe, a 22-year old LU cross country athlete noticed that her performance in her workouts was declining despite her rigorous training workout. Zoe complained to her coach of constant fatigue and decreased aerobic performance. She also mentioned to her coach that she had recently cut out meat from her diet (due to financial constraints) and that she also experiences heavy menstrual blood flow. Zoe's coach advised her to see a physician. The following are her laboratory results:
| |
|
SI Units |
| Hemoglobin (Hb) |
90 g/L |
1.40 mmol/L |
| Hematocrit (Hct) |
28% |
0.28 |
| Serum iron |
16 µg/dL |
2.9 µmol/L |
| Ferritin |
4 ng/mL |
4 µg/L |
| Bone marrow iron |
absent |
absent |
| Erythrocytes (smear) |
microcytic/hypochromic |
The physician prescribed an oral iron supplement (ferrous sulfate), as well as a well balanced diet including meat (The physician advised her that her parents would most likely want to help out financially if they knew that her situation was affecting her health!!)
- What is the most likely disorder Zoe is experiencing? (12)
- What does ferrous sulfate provide? Why is it necessary? (2)
- What dietary inclusions would you suggest? (6)
- What is ferritin? What is its physiological role? (4)
- Why is bone marrow iron an important clinical indicator in this individual? (2)