A 22-year-old male student presents with fatigue, weakness, and difficulty concentrating. He reports a poor diet consisting mainly of fast food, processed snacks, and minimal intake of fruits and vegetables. Laboratory tests confirm iron depletion. Fortunately he was not yet anaemic.
The cause of iron deficiency anaemia in this case was inadequate dietary intake of iron over extended periods. The poor diet lacking in iron-rich foods contributed to his iron deficiency. The student’s lifestyle may have led to neglecting proper nutrition, resulting in the development of iron deficiency anaemia and poor concentration levels leading up to a period of intensive degree exams.
Treatment involved iron supplementation to correct his anaemia and dietary modifications, including incorporating iron-rich foods into his meals. This could have been managed with iron tablets but he wanted faster resolution in order to be ready for his exams and so received an iron infusion. Education on the importance of maintaining a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle practices was provided to prevent future nutrient deficiencies and promote overall health.