BIO407 Case study A 14 year old girl complained of fatigue & loss of stamina. Her appetite was marginal, as she was very conscious of maintaining her body weight at 96 pounds

#1) A 14 year old girl complained of fatigue & loss of stamina. Her appetite was marginal, as she was very conscious of maintaining her body weight at 96 pounds. Her monthly menstrual flow was always heavy & long from its onset at age 12. Relevant laboratory findings include the following:

               Hematocrit                         30%

               Hemoglobin                        9gm/dl

               Iron                                      16mg/dl

               Bone marrow iron              absent

               Erythrocytes                       small & pale

Suggested treatment included ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate for six months orally between meals, since food may reduce absorption. A well-balanced diet was also suggested, as well as a gynecologic examination.

               a) What is the primary disorder of this individual?

               b) What does the ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate provide? Why is it necessary?

               c) What dietary inclusions would you suggest?

               d) Why is the gynecologic examination important?

               e) Why is bone marrow iron an important clinical indicator in this individual?