Anemia

Abstract

Anemia is a common diagnostic problem encountered in family practice. The causes are so numerous that many practitioners adopt a “shotgun” approach to diagnosis. This chapter outlines a systematic approach that allows accurate diagnosis in a cost-effective manner. In many cases the information obtained from the history and physical examination and a complete blood count (CBC), including review of the peripheral blood smear, points to the cause of anemia. Sometimes further testing is required. It should be tailored to the morphologic classification of the anemia as microcytic hypochromic, normocytic, or macrocytic. In many cases, diagnosing the pathogenesis of anemia mandates a search for an underlying disease (e.g., the cause of the deficiency of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B₁₂).