A 33-year-old member asked:
Can a bleeding ulcer be the cause of microcytic hypochromic anemia?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Marianne DiNapolianswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 9 years experience
Yes.: A bleeding ulcer could cause iron deficiency anemia (low red blood cell count). If the bleeding is severe and persists for a while, red blood cells will be small (microcytic) and have relatively less oxygen-carrying hemoglobin (hypochromic). Thanks to m. Dinapoli, med student.
6.3k viewsReviewed Jun 23, 2020
Dr. Dean Giannoneanswered
Internal Medicine 26 years experience
Yes: With a bleeding ulcer, you tend to bleed slowly and chronically, eventually causing iron deficiency, which causes the new red blood cells to be created in response to the developing anemia to be small, i.e. Microcytic. Sometimes this type of anemia is the first hint that an ulcer exists, although any chronic slow blood loss will cause this type of anemia.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 23, 2020
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