Question

The following is an excerpt from the case study "It's All Greek to Me": "I am sorry to give you bad news. Nikoleta does have anemia but, unfortunately, giving her a high iron formula was exactly the opposite of what should be done. Nikoleta's disorder has a genetic basis."

Iron is an important structural component of hemoglobin. Explain why this treatment failed and how the true cause of Nikoleta's anemia was discovered.

Answer 1

This treatment would have failed because although she has anemia, it doesn't mean that she is low in iron. Giving her treatment with iron could possible give her more than she needs in her body. The true cause of Nikoleta's anemia was that her beta proteins in the hemoglobin are not working properly. This was probably discovered through family history if the family had that type of anemia, since the condition could be inherited, or it was found through blood tests.

Answer 2

The prime reason for the treatment to get failed that though she has been suffering from anemia, it does not prove that she is low in iron. Providing her treatment with iron would possibly give her more than she required in her body.

The actual reason for anemia in the given case would be the lack of function of the beta proteins in the hemoglobin. This can be found out by looking through the family history, that is, if the family had anemia then the condition could be inherited, and it can be determined via blood examinations.