Chronic blood loss in ulcerative colitis commonly causes which type of anemia?

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Multiple Choice

Chronic blood loss in ulcerative colitis commonly causes which type of anemia?

Chronic blood loss from ulcerative colitis depletes iron stores, so the body can’t make enough hemoglobin. This produces iron-deficiency anemia, which is typically microcytic and hypochromic. Lab features usually show low serum iron and low ferritin (reflecting depleted iron stores), often with high TIBC and low transferrin saturation. In contrast, pernicious anemia comes from B12 deficiency and causes macrocytic anemia; aplastic anemia is from bone marrow failure; and sickle cell anemia is a hemoglobinopathy unrelated to chronic GI blood loss.

Chronic blood loss from ulcerative colitis depletes iron stores, so the body can’t make enough hemoglobin. This produces iron-deficiency anemia, which is typically microcytic and hypochromic. Lab features usually show low serum iron and low ferritin (reflecting depleted iron stores), often with high TIBC and low transferrin saturation. In contrast, pernicious anemia comes from B12 deficiency and causes macrocytic anemia; aplastic anemia is from bone marrow failure; and sickle cell anemia is a hemoglobinopathy unrelated to chronic GI blood loss.

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