Question

During the first stage of iron deficiency,

A. red blood cells are small and low in number

B. body stores of iron are depleted

C. circulating iron in the blood is depleted

D. physical symptoms of iron deficiency are apparent

Answer 1

Ans.)option B - body stores of iron are depleted

Explanation -

Stages of iron deficiency -

Stage 1-Body stores of iron are depleted

As the iron deficiency occurs due to decreased intake or decreased absorption, our body starts compensation for it by releasing the stored iron such as ferritin, hemosiderin into blood stream. So as body stores are released into blood stream,the body stores are depleted initially.

Stage 2-circulating iron in the blood are depleted

As in first stage, our body released stored forms of iron into the blood stream. These iron are used up for the red blood cell production(RBC) as rbcs are essential for the oxygenation of the body. So circulating iron levels are decreased in the bloodstream.

Stage 3-Red blood cells are small and low in number

At one stage iron available for RBC production is also depleted. Then RBC production is impaired so that RBC become small in size and low in number this is frank microcytic hypochromic anemia as symptoms are not appear in this stage so it is known as Frank.

Stage 4-physical symptoms of iron deficiency are apparent

Later as RBC is less, so that decreased oxygenation to the body occurs causing appearance of iron deficiency anemia symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath etc.