Anemias USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 56-year-old man with alcohol use disorder presents with dyspnea, glossitis, and paresthesias. Hemoglobin is 9.1 g/dL with MCV 110 fL. Serum B12 is 180 pg/mL (normal >200), and folate is low. Intrinsic factor antibodies are negative. Which of the following is the most likely cause of his macrocytic anemia?
Answer choices
- APernicious anemia
- BFolate deficiencyCorrect answer
- CLiver disease-induced macrocytosis
- DVitamin B12 deficiency from ileal disease
- EHypothyroidism
- FThiamine deficiency from impaired intestinal absorption
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations ā plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas ā with a free MedBoardPRO account.