Iron deficiency anemia can arise in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and can be the presenting event.
The cause of the iron deficiency is primarily recurrent hemorrhage, which may be overt (nosebleeds) or occult (low-grade GI hemorrhage).
A positive family history for HHT or anemia may be a clue to the diagnosis.
The need for iron replacement may be lifelong, but vary depending on the severity of hemorrhagic.
A patient with refractory anemia (or other severe manifestations of HHT) may benefit from bevacizumab (anti-VEGF).
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Specialty: Hematology Oncology
