Q. My daughter is suffering from severe stomach pain. Could it be due to iron deficiency anemia?
Hi doctor,
My daughter is 13 years old. She is having moderate to severe stomach pain for a year. We thought that it was related to constipation. After a few weeks, my daughter started to have a headache, feelings of dizziness, and shortness of breath. She had a habit of eating ice all the time. Her stomach pain got increased day by day. I took her to an urgent care. They did an iron deficiency panel. Can it be iron deficiency anemia? Can I give her an iron supplement? Is her body unable to convert iron to ferritin? Please help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I have gone through the attached blood test results (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your daughter's serum ferritin is low which reflects the low iron stores. Her hemoglobin is low. Her low ferritin levels support it. Her TIBC (total iron binding capacity) is high, and it is commonly seen in iron deficiency anemia. But her serum iron levels are not consistent with iron deficiency anemia. Her transferrin saturation of 66 % suggests an iron overload.
A transferrin saturation of less than 20 % indicates iron deficiency, while a transferrin saturation of more than 50 % suggests iron overload. Higher transferrin saturation values are found in high iron status, such as megaloblastic anemia, sideroblastic anemia, and iron overload status. She needs a detailed hematological workup, and she should avoid taking iron pills. You are correct in your thinking. Her iron is being absorbed, but it is not adequately processed and utilized by the body. The underlying cause is needed to be determined soon and treated accordingly.
Was this answer helpful?
|Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions:
I am losing weight with low hemoglobin and persistent cough. Kindly help.
RDW (red cell distribution width) is high, so probably iron deficiency anemia ... Take iron-rich food and iron tablet with orange juice Read full
I have stomach pain below the breast on the left side. Please help... suffering from constipation. Because of it, you have stomach pain below the breast on the left side with difficulty in depositing waste. When there is constipation, the waste does not get clear entirely from the bowel. Read full
Will eating raw rice result in low hemoglobin?Her laboratory test showed iron deficiency anemia and she was diagnosed to have pica ... Read full
Also Read Answers From:
Comprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case
iCliniq's FREE Newsletters
Expert-backed health and wellness information, delivered to your email.
Thank you for subscribing to our Newsletters!
Also Read
PCOS and Liver Problems
The hormonal imbalances in polycystic ovary syndrome could cause liver diseases. Read the article to know the relationship between these medical conditions. Read more»
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Lateralization Technique
The inferior alveolar nerve lateralization technique is a surgical lateralization technique to reposition the nerve. Read the article to know more about this. Read more»
COVID-19 and Ebola: Similarities and Differences
This article gives a comparison and broader overview of the outbreak of the two deadliest diseases that showed a greater incidence over the last two decades. Read more»
Ask your health query to a doctor online?
Ask a Hematologist Now* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.