A 55-year-old woman has a hypochromic, microcytic anemia. The most likely cause is: A) vitamin B₁₂ or folic acid deficiency. B) hemolysis of red blood cells due to autoantibodies. C) iron deficiency resulting from chronic gastrointestinal blood loss. D) replacement of bone marrow by metastatic tumor.

Question

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Hypochromic, microcytic anemia is most commonly caused by iron deficiency, often due to chronic blood loss, such as from the gastrointestinal tract.

A 55-Year-Old Woman Has a Hypochromic, Microcytic Anemia