Question

A 64-year-old man presents with fatigue and shortness of breath. His haemoglobin is 86 g/L, MCV 70 fL and ferritin 6 µg/L. What is the most appropriate next investigation?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy to investigate for gastrointestinal blood loss

Answer

Reticulocyte count only

Answer

Bone marrow biopsy

Answer

Serum B12 and folate only

Answer

No further investigation is needed; start iron therapy empirically

Practice question

A 64-year-old man presents with fatigue and shortness of breath. His haemoglobin is 86 g/L, MCV 70 fL and ferritin 6 µg/L. What is the most appropriate next investigation?