Tests to Determine Anemia Cause
Please respond to discussion below using current APA edition and 2 scholarly references. Must be at least 150 words.
Tests to Determine Anemia Cause
Anemia is a health condition where a person’s blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen around the body (Chaparro & Suchdev, 2019). In the case study provided, it is noted that the patient has low hemoglobin. Numerous tests can be done to ascertain the cause of the low hemoglobin count. Serum ferritin is a crucial test to help determine the cause of anemia. In this case study, low serum ferritin levels would suggest iron deficiency, meaning that the body has insufficient iron to produce an adequate number of red blood cells (Cascio & DeLoughery, 2019). Transferrin saturation is another test that can provide insights into what might be causing the anemia. The test shows how effectively iron is being transported and utilized in the body (Cascio & DeLoughery, 2019). A low transferrin saturation level can indicate iron deficiency anemia. TIBC is a laboratory test that measures the maximum amount of iron that can be bound to transferrin. A low TIBC value, can indicate iron deficiency anemia. If TIBC is within the normal range or elevated, it might suggest anemia of chronic disease. Lastly, a CRP blood test is used to determine the level of C-reactive protein in the blood. An elevated CRP level might indicate chronic inflammation (Cascio & DeLoughery, 2019). The elevated CRP, combined with the patient’s anemia, could suggest anemia of chronic disease.
Blood Transfusion Consideration
In the patient’s case, a blood transfusion may be necessary. The hemoglobin levels are relatively low at 9.5 g/dL. The patient also had symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Based on the symptoms are hemoglobin levels, it would be wise to consider transfusion to ensure the symptoms are not alleviated and no further complications will arise. It is crucial to consider other factors that may influence the success and necessity of a blood transfusion, including the clinical status of the patient.
Medications to Consider
If iron deficiency is confirmed, iron supplements can be prescribed to address the deficiency and improve hemoglobin levels. In case the iron deficiency is confirmed to be chronic, Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) treatment should be considered. ESAs are used to stimulate the production of red blood cells in patients with anemia of chronic kidney diseases (Kidanewold et al., 2021). The patient has a history of decreased kidney failure, which might have led to anemia of the kidney. When placing a patient under ESAs treatment, one should consider various factors. The current kidney function should be used to determine the treatment plan to be used. Other health conditions should also be considered as they will guide the treatment plan. If ESAs are used, there should be regular monitoring of hemoglobin levels, blood pressure and iron status (Kidanewold et al., 2021). An individualized approach should also be used. The patient should also be educated on the purpose, benefits, and risks. Before starting ESAs treatment, a health practitioner should evaluate the potential risks over the benefits. In case the risks outweigh the benefits, ESAs treatment should not be considered.
Follow-Up Recommendations
Regular monitoring of hemoglobin levels, iron status, and kidney function helps in assessing the success of treatment. The symptoms should also be evaluated frequently to gauge the effectiveness of the treatment. Adjustments to the treatment plan should be made as guided by the results of monitoring and the symptoms presented. For a more comprehensive treatment, specialists in the kidney, cardiovascular system and blood should be put on board. Close communication with the patient is vital throughout the diagnostic and treatment process.
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