The Patient Is a 43-Year-Old Man

The patient is a 43-year-old man. He is anemic, with a hemoglobin level of 12.2 g/dL (normal is 15.5 g/dL) . The erythrocytes are microcytic
(MCV = 70 fL, with normal MCV = 80-100 fL) . Which of the following would most likely be present in this patient?

A) acute bleeding
B) folate deficiency
C) iron deficiency
D) vitamin B₁₂ deficiency
E) vitamin K deficiency