Question

an 62-year-old male patient presents with lack of appetite and fatigue. blood work reveals low serum iron and decreased tibc. what is your working diagnosis?
a) thalassemia minor
b) colon cancer
c) chronic iron deficiency anemia
d) hemmorhoids
e) anemia of chronic disease

Explanation:

To determine the working diagnosis, we analyze the patient's symptoms (lack of appetite, fatigue) and blood work (low serum iron, decreased TIBC). Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is characterized by low serum iron and decreased total iron - binding capacity (TIBC), along with symptoms like fatigue. Thalassemia minor has different hematological patterns. Colon cancer and hemorrhoids are not primarily characterized by these iron - related lab findings. Chronic iron deficiency anemia typically has increased TIBC, which is not the case here. So, the most consistent diagnosis with the given lab values and symptoms is anemia of chronic disease.

Answer:

e) anemia of chronic disease