ABSTRACT
Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common cause of anemia worldwide. Patient with IDA often present thrombocytosis (defined as platelet count >450 x103/mL), but little is known about its degree and prevalence in this condition, and the response of platelet levels after iron replacement therapy.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of laboratory data of 24 consecutive patient with anemia secondary only to iron deficiency, both at baseline and at 3 months after either oral or intravenous iron replacement therapy.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 51 years (range, 24-83 years), and 17 of 24 (71%) patients were females. The causes of IDA were blood losses (n=12), poor gastrointestinal absorption (n=6), pregnancy (n=4), and unidentified (n=2). The iron replacement therapy consisted of oral FeSO4 (n=2), intravenous iron (n=9), or both (n=11). The mean Hb and ferritin levels at baseline and at 3 months after the iron replacement were 9.0 g/dL and 20.2 mg/dL, and 12.3 g/dL (p<0.001) and 176.2 mg/dL (p<0.001), respectively. Thrombocytosis at baseline was found in 5 of 24 (21%) patients, and after the iron administration it resolved in all patients (except one, who was found to have another condition causing thrombocytosis). The mean platelet level at baseline and at 3 months after the iron replacement was 380 and 288 x103/mL (p=0.002).
Conclusion: Thrombocytosis is found in about one fifth of patients with IDA, and it resolves within 3 months of adequate iron replacement therapy.
No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
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