Chapter 11 Anemia and Its Effect on the Older Adult

TABLE 11.3 cont. Common Reasons for Altered Laboratory Results May Lower Levels

Laboratory Test

Serum vitamin B-12

Malabsorption syndromes, inflammatory bowel diseases, atrophic gastritis, achlorhydria, vitamin C deficiency, folate deficiency

Homocysteine

Anticonvulsants, vitamin C, metformin Folic acid supplementation, tamoxifen

167

May Elevate Levels

Leukemia, severe liver dysfunction Omeprazole

Renal failure, folate deficiency, vitamin B-12 deficiency, malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, osteoporosis Theophylline, phenytoin, methotrexate