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Clinical Findings in Iron Deficiency Not Associated with Anemia

Purpose: To identify clinical findings found in iron deficiency not directly due to the anemia.

Description

Many of the clinical findings in a patient with iron deficiency are related to the anemia that develops. However, a number of other findings may be found that can be suggestive of the diagnosis.


 

Symptoms:

(1) pagophagia (eating ice) or other forms of pica

(2) restless legs syndrome (Ekbom's syndrome, akathisia)

(3) fatigue and loss of stamina (more than can be explained by anemia)

 

Physical findings:

(1) blue sclerae (associated with thinning of the white sclera)

(2) longitudinal ridges in nails and koiloncychia (concave "spoon shape")

(3) glossitis with burning mouth (late and nonspecific)

(4) angular cheilitis (late and nonspecific)

(5) gastric atrophy (late)

(6) postcricoid esophageal web (in Plummer-Vinson syndrome)

(7) hair loss or change in hair texture

 

Laboratory findings:

(1) increased lead absorption

 


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Specialty

Objective

ICD-10