Case Study: Diagnosing Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia in Ms. A

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Case Study
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This case study focuses on a 26-year-old woman, Ms. A, presenting with symptoms of shortness of breath, lack of energy, and lightheadedness, which worsen during her menses. Based on her symptoms, low blood pressure, elevated heart and respiratory rates, and laboratory test results including low hematocrit, hemoglobin, and RBC smear indicating microcytic and hypochromic cells, the case study diagnoses Ms. A with microcytic hypochromic anemia. The analysis highlights that this anemia is associated with fatigue and weakness, often caused by iron deficiency due to heavy periods (menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea). Ms. A's hemoglobin level of 8 g/dl and hematocrit of 32% further support this diagnosis, as these values are below the normal ranges. The study concludes that the patient's condition is directly linked to microcytic hypochromic anemia, emphasizing the role of iron deficiency as a primary cause.
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ASSIGNMENT 2 – CASE STUDY 1
Assignment #2 – Case Study 1
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ASSIGNMENT 2 – CASE STUDY 1
Part A
Introduction
Considering the case of Ms. A who is twenty six years old and has been experiencing shortness
of breath along with lack of enthusiasm and energy levels, it is significant to understand the
cause (Africano et al., 2016; Varghese et al., 2018; Tierney & Bhagra, 2018; Kaur & Singla,
2018). The symptoms prevalent in case of Ms. A turn worse at the time of her menses. Based on
her condition of light headedness and been taken for an emergency, the lowered blood pressure
accompanied with elevated respiratory rate and heart rate was observed (Africano et al., 2016;
Varghese et al., 2018; Tierney & Bhagra, 2018; Kaur & Singla, 2018). The various laboratory
tests with the values of hematocrit along with hemoglobin and RBC smear are significant to
note .
Based on the circumstances, it can be deduced that Ms. A has Hypochromic Microcytic Anemia
(Khan et al., 2017; Urrechaga et al., 2015; Varghese et al., 2018). With the laboratory tests
pertaining to Ms. A, the RBC smear has clearly shown microcytic cells and hypochromic cells
too (Khan et al., 2017; Urrechaga et al., 2015; Varghese et al., 2018). This anemia is associated
with lack of blood cells impacting tissues. The symptoms are associated with fatigue and
weakness coupled with shortness of breath.
As Ms. A conditions are alike with the shortness of breath and low levels of energy and
enthusiasm. While playing golf, Ms. A. became light headed. In microcytic hypochromic
anemia, the body has lower levels of red blood cells (Khan et al., 2017; Urrechaga et al., 2015;
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ASSIGNMENT 2 – CASE STUDY 1
Varghese et al., 2018; Ge et al., 2017; Karakaş et al., 2015; Tierney & Bhagra, 2018; Kaur &
Singla, 2018). The normalcy in the blood cells does not persist as they are small and pale.
The symptoms for microcytic hypochromic anemia are closely associated to dizziness. In Ms.
A’s case, the symptoms of increased shortness of breath and fatigue are more during her menses.
The most common cause pertaining to this anemia is iron deficiency levels in blood (Khan et al.,
2017; Urrechaga et al., 2015; Varghese et al., 2018; Ge et al., 2017; Karakaş et al., 2015; Tierney
& Bhagra, 2018; Kaur & Singla, 2018). The iron deficiency is a resultant of heavy periods taking
place in women. As Ms. A has been experiencing the same and also has problems related to
Menorrhagia and dysmenorrheal, the iron deficiency pertains.
In microcytic hypochromic anemia the red blood cells would have lesser hemoglobin levels than
the normal (Khan et al., 2017; Urrechaga et al., 2015; Varghese et al., 2018; Ge et al., 2017;
Karakaş et al., 2015; Tierney & Bhagra, 2018; Kaur & Singla, 2018). Ms. A has a hemoglobin
level of 8 g/dl. This is far less than the normal range which should hover between 12 g/dl to 15
g/dl. The microcytic hypochromic anemia is caused due to significant factor linked to the
reduction of iron store in body.
The reduced storage of iron does lead to halting the production of hemoglobin chains in body.
Considering the state of hematocrit too, being 32% in case of Ms. A, the reading denotes that it is
far too less than the normal range (Khan et al., 2017; Urrechaga et al., 2015; Varghese et al.,
2018; Ge et al., 2017; Karakaş et al., 2015; Tierney & Bhagra, 2018; Kaur & Singla, 2018). The
normal range of hematocrit present in an adult woman should lie in the range of 38% to 46%.
The hematocrit being measured gives an evaluation of hemoglobin concentration (Khan et al.,
2017; Urrechaga et al., 2015; Varghese et al., 2018; Ge et al., 2017; Karakaş et al., 2015; Tierney
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ASSIGNMENT 2 – CASE STUDY 1
& Bhagra, 2018; Kaur & Singla, 2018). Since the hemoglobin concentration in blood of Ms. A is
far too less than normal range, it can be well determined that as she is suffering from microcytic
hypochromic anemia, the results prove the same.
Conclusion
It is well determined that with the conditions discussed above and the symptoms that are
prevalent in case of Ms. A basis the case provided, she has a condition of microcytic
hypochromic anemia. The basis and the rationale for the determined anemia is coupled with the
cause that leads to this type of anemia. As Ms. A. has been experiencing the concerns pertaining
to her health, the laboratory tests and her conditions are able to well determine and associated
them with microcytic hypochromic anemia.
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ASSIGNMENT 2 – CASE STUDY 1
References
AFRICANO, C. J. R., & NELSON, D. R. (2016). Shortness of Breath. Mayo Clinic Critical
Care Case Review, 2.
Ge, S., Yang, B., Yi, W., Huang, K., Liu, H., Huang, X., ... & Yang, Z. (2017). Analysis of
clinical phenotype and genotype of unstable Hemoglobin Rush. Zhonghua yi xue yi chuan xue za
zhi= Zhonghua yixue yichuanxue zazhi= Chinese journal of medical genetics, 34(1), 15-20.
Karakaş, Z., Koç, B., Temurhan, S., Elgün, T., Karaman, S., Asker, G., ... & Devecioğlu, Ö.
(2015). Evaluation of alpha-thalassemia mutations in cases with hypochromic microcytic
anemia: The İstanbul perspective. Turkish Journal of Hematology, 32(4), 344.
Kaur, H., & Singla, N. (2017). A Comparative Study on the Nutritional Profile of Male and
Female Sportspersons. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal, 5(2), 159-167.
Khan, H., Shah, F., & Khan, K. (2017). FREQUENCY OF BETA-THALLASSEMIA TRAIT
AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN THEIR LAST TRIMESTER WITH HYPOCHROMIC
MICROCYTIC ANEMIA. Pakistan Journal of Public Health, 7(2), 79-81.
Tierney, D., & Bhagra, A. (2018). Evaluation of Shortness of Breath. In Atlas of Handheld
Ultrasound (pp. 177-178). Springer, Cham.
Urrechaga, E., Hoffmann, J. J. M. L., Izquierdo, S., & Escanero, J. F. (2015). Differential
diagnosis of microcytic anemia: the role of microcytic and hypochromic
erythrocytes. International journal of laboratory hematology, 37(3), 334-340.
Varghese, C., Varghese, C., & Edell, E. S. (2018). An Unusual Etiology for Chronic Progressive
Shortness of Breath. In B39. PLEURAL DISEASE: CASE REPORTS I (pp. A3211-A3211).
American Thoracic Society.
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