You Are Examining a 44-Year-Old Male Patient Who Appears Anemic

You are examining a 44-year-old male patient who appears anemic. Blood work indicates his hemoglobin level is 12.2 g/dL (normal is 15.5 g/dL) and his erythrocytes are microcytic (mean corpuscular volume [MCV] = 70 fL, with normal MCV = 80-100 fL) . Given these findings, 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