Question

Premenopausal female presents with anemia, regular menses, and no history of nutritional deficiency. What is the patient most likely deficient in?

1) Iron
2) Vitamin B12
3) Folic acid
4) Calcium

Answer 1

In a premenopausal female with anemia, regular menses, and no history of nutritional deficiency, iron deficiency is the most probable cause of the anemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

A premenopausal female presenting with anemia, regular menses, and no history of nutritional deficiency is most likely deficient in iron. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type and is very prevalent among women of childbearing age due to blood loss during menstruation. Although other deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 or folic acid, can cause different types of anemia like pernicious anemia or megaloblastic anemia, iron deficiency is usually characterized by a lack of hemoglobin synthesis due to inadequate dietary intake or absorption of iron, or chronic blood loss. In this scenario, without evidence of malabsorption or a dietary deficiency, iron deficiency remains the most probable cause of the anemia described.