ISSN:
1432-1440
Keywords:
Iron-deficiency anemia
;
Celiac disease
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract We report on a 40-year-old woman with a 2-year history of iron-deficiency anemia of unknown origin. Repeated endoscopic investigations in the past had revealed no abnormality of the gastrointestinal system on macroscopic examination. Oral iron supplementation was shown to have no effect on serum iron levels and had no influence on the anemia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed at our hospital confirmed normal macroscopic findings. However, jejunal biopsies revealed subtotal villous atrophy of the mucosa of the small intestine. A strict gluten-free diet led to an increase in serum iron, resolution of the anemia, and restitution of normal mucosal architecture. Thus iron-deficiency anemia may be the lone manifestation of celiac disease.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00207481
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