Iron deficiency can lead to which of the following conditions?

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Multiple Choice

Iron deficiency can lead to which of the following conditions?

Explanation:
Iron is essential for making hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells. When iron stores are depleted, hemoglobin synthesis falls, leading to iron-deficiency anemia. This anemia is typically microcytic and hypochromic, and it manifests with fatigue, pallor, and reduced oxygen delivery. A classic accompanying symptom is pica, the craving for nonfood substances such as ice or dirt, which clinicians often use as a clue to iron deficiency. The other conditions listed—hypertension, hyperkalemia, and osteoporosis—aren’t direct consequences of iron deficiency. Therefore, anemia with pica best reflects the effects of iron deficiency.

Iron is essential for making hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells. When iron stores are depleted, hemoglobin synthesis falls, leading to iron-deficiency anemia. This anemia is typically microcytic and hypochromic, and it manifests with fatigue, pallor, and reduced oxygen delivery. A classic accompanying symptom is pica, the craving for nonfood substances such as ice or dirt, which clinicians often use as a clue to iron deficiency. The other conditions listed—hypertension, hyperkalemia, and osteoporosis—aren’t direct consequences of iron deficiency. Therefore, anemia with pica best reflects the effects of iron deficiency.

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