Does anemia mimic leukemia?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause profound alterations in the bone marrow. These alterations can mimic the more serious diagnosis of acute leukemia.

How do you know if your anemia is caused by cancer?

Many people with cancer also struggle with energy-zapping anemia, a common problem that must be treated along with the cancer. If you have cancer and feel short of breath, tired, and lightheaded, you may be anemic.

Can iron deficiency anemia be misdiagnosed?

Iron deficiency is commonly misdiagnosed. The usual error is misinterpretation of the laboratory features of the anaemia of chronic disease. The serum iron is low, but the iron binding capacity is normal and ferritin is normal or high. There are problems and exceptions involved in interpretation of iron indices.

What blood tests detect leukemia?

A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that your doctor may recommend to: Help diagnose some blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.

Does iron deficiency always mean cancer?

Probably not. A significant number of people with cancer — between 30 and 90 percent — also have anemia. There are several types of anemia; however, iron-deficiency anemia is most often linked to cancer. Iron-deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of healthy red blood cells in the body.

What can be mistaken for iron deficiency?

Thalassemia is a disorder of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. This results in mild anemia and very small red blood cells (called microcytosis). People who are carriers of thalassemia, also called thalassemia trait, might be mislabeled as having iron deficiency anemia.

What can anemia be mistaken for?

Advanced Study

• Crohn disease.
• Iron.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Erythema.
• Stroke.
• Viral hepatitis.
• Colorectal cancer.
• Roundworms.

What are the symptoms of Mild iron deficiency anemia?

For a mild or moderate iron deficiency, a person may not experience any noticeable symptoms. Sometimes, a lack of iron can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. This is when the body does not have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. Iron-deficiency anemia can cause symptoms that include: fatigue. weakness.

How do you know if you have iron deficiency in your skin?

If it is a very pale pink or yellow color, this may indicate that you have iron deficiency. In people with darker skin tones, this may be the only area it is noticeable. Summary. Paleness in areas such as the face, lower inner eyelids, or nails may be a sign of moderate or severe iron deficiency.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency around the mouth?

Iron deficiency may also cause other symptoms around your mouth ( 17 ). These include: A sore, swollen, or strangely smooth tongue can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Cracks on the corners of the mouth can also be a sign. 8. Restless legs

What happens if you don’t get enough iron?

Not having enough iron in your system is usually directly linked to your diet. You can get iron through having a healthy diet. However, if you look at the average person’s diet, it’s more than likely lacking some iron, but typically not enough to cause an iron deficiency. Having an iron deficiency can lead to iron deficiency anemia.