I would be grateful for help with the following.
When faced with a patient who complains of fatigue
should we measure serum ferritin levels in the
absence of anaemia??
I have performed a medline search which suggested
that:
1. Low Fe stores in the elderly patient can cause
fatigue without the presence of anaemia
2. Low serum ferritin levels are very common e.g
one Swedish study showed that 40% of 15-16 yr. old
girls had low ferritin levels, so should all these
be treated and how many of these have fatigue.
3. Ridsdales study of fatigue in GP did not check
for ferritin levels, has another study looked at
this in the primary care setting??
Thanks for your help
Fran
Dr Francisco Machado,
Abersychan Surgery, Old Road, Abersychan, Torfaen,
NP4 7BQ
website http://www.abersychan.demon.co.uk/home.htm
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