A 72-year-old man has confirmed iron-deficiency anemia without overt bleeding or another clear source. He is clinically stable and has never had

Question

A 72-year-old man has confirmed iron-deficiency anemia without overt bleeding or another clear source. He is clinically stable and has never had gastrointestinal evaluation. What is the appropriate diagnostic plan?

Accepted Answer

Arrange same-sitting upper endoscopy and colonoscopy while treating the iron deficiency

Answer

Perform capsule endoscopy before examining the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract

Answer

Repeat ferritin annually without investigating the cause of deficiency

Answer

Use CT chest alone because gastrointestinal malignancy rarely causes occult iron loss

Answer

Give iron alone and defer gastrointestinal evaluation unless anemia becomes transfusion-dependent

Unintentional weight loss — ABIM Board MCQ

A 72-year-old man has confirmed iron-deficiency anemia without overt bleeding or another clear source. He is clinically stable and has never had gastrointestinal evaluation. What is the appropriate diagnostic plan?