Clinical Features (Exam Pearls)
Clinical Features (Exam Pearls)
. Paresthesias (neuropathy)
. Atrophy of tongue epithelium -> burning/soreness
· Angular stomatitis (cheilosis)
. Chronic gastritis
. PICA (craving dirt/ice) -> Exam Pearl: Most classic symptom
. Koilonychia (spoon nails)
. Difficulty swallowing (Plummer-Vinson syndrome)
Laboratory Features
Laboratory Features
Therapy
Ferrous iron -> two hundred milligrams per day
Iron-Refractory IDA (IRIDA) : Hereditary recessive; TMPRSS6 gene mutation; DOES NOT respond to oral iron
Exam Trap: IRIDA vs. IDA
Iron-Refractory IDA fails oral iron therapy -> suspect TMPRSS6 mutation