Tag: Hematologic disorders

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.9 billion people suffer from anemia, though iron deficiency is not the only metallic culprit. Several metals, both toxic heavy metals and essential trace elements when in excess or deficient amounts, can cause or contribute to anemia. Understanding these less common metallic causes is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment of this widespread condition.

While true scurvy, a severe vitamin C deficiency, is rare in developed countries, certain medical conditions are still known to mimic its classic symptoms like fatigue, bruising, and poor wound healing. This makes a thorough differential diagnosis crucial for proper patient care and treatment.

According to scientific research, a deficiency in vitamin B6 can directly impair heme synthesis, leading to a type of microcytic or normocytic anemia. This condition, known as sideroblastic anemia, occurs when the body has sufficient iron but cannot properly incorporate it into hemoglobin due to the lack of this essential vitamin.