A 45-year-old female presents with heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, and pale conjunctiva
Question : A 45-year-old female presents with heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, and pale conjunctiva. Laboratory tests show hemoglobin 75 g/L, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 70 fL, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) 22 pg. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
B. Iron deficiency anemia
C. Folate deficiency anemia
D. Aplastic anemia
Answer: B
Explanation: The patient has symptoms of anemia (fatigue, pale conjunctiva) and a history of heavy menstrual bleeding (a common cause of iron loss). Laboratory tests show microcytic hypochromic anemia (MCV <80 fL, MCH <27 pg), which is typical of iron deficiency anemia. Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency cause macrocytic anemia (MCV >100 fL); aplastic anemia is normocytic normochromic anemia with pancytopenia. Therefore, the correct answer is B.
