Question

A patient is discovered to have a strange craving for iron objects. To try to determine the cause, her physician decides to order tests to determine if this patient might have some type of ______.

1) hypothyroidism
2) diabetes
3) acidosis
4) anemia

Answer 1

The patient's craving for iron objects may indicate iron deficiency anemia, a condition where there is not enough iron to produce heme for red blood cells, often resulting from dietary deficiency, absorption issues, or chronic bleeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with a strange craving for iron objects may have her physician order tests to determine if this patient might have some type of anemia, specifically iron deficiency anemia. This condition is the most common type of anemia and occurs when the amount of available iron is insufficient to produce the necessary heme for red blood cells. It often happens due to a dietary deficiency of iron but can also result from issues with iron absorption and transport, or from slow, chronic bleeding. Conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, acidosis, Parkinson's disease, Grave's disease, and Goiter may present with different symptoms and are less likely to directly cause a craving for iron objects.