Course Summary

Anemia is often indicative of an underlying disease condition and can be multifactorial. There are three different etiologies of anemia with iron deficiency being the leading cause. The pathology underlying anemia involves low hemoglobin or a low red blood cell count in the blood. The level of anemia often depends on an individual’s age, gender, and lifestyle patterns. Severe anemia can lead to serious problems if left untreated. A patient’s medical history and the physical assessment of the signs of anemia are important to appropriately diagnose the condition. An anemia can be either microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic, and laboratory testing, including the complete blood count can help to identify the type of anemia. Health clinicians may need to investigate whether the bone marrow response is adequate. An interesting case study of an unspecified cause of anemia is included, raising the importance of the interdisciplinary team approach to identify cause and management of an anemic state.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Etiology and Incidence of Anemia
  • Definition of Anemia
  • Causes of Anemia
  • Prevalence of Anemia
• Iron Deficiency Anemia
  • Causes of Iron Deficiency
  • Symptoms and Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia
  • Prevention and Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency
  • Causes of B12 Deficiency
  • Symptoms and Diagnosis of B12 Deficiency
  • Prevention and Treatment of B12 Deficiency
• Folate Deficiency
  • Causes of Folate Deficiency
  • Symptoms and Diagnosis of Folate Deficiency
  • Prevention and Treatment of Folate Deficiency
• Case Study: Iron Deficiency Anemia
  • Discussion
• Summary

Author

Noah H. Carpenter, MD

Dr. Noah Carpenter is a Thoracic and Peripheral Vascular Surgeon. He completed his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and medical school and training at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Carpenter completed surgical residency and fellowship at the University of Edmonton and Affiliated Hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, and an additional Adult Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has specialized in microsurgical techniques, vascular endoscopy, laser and laparoscopic surgery in Brandon, Manitoba and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in Colorado, Texas, and California. Dr. Carpenter has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Calgary, and was appointed a Citizen Ambassador to China, and has served as a member of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the Canadian College of Health Service Executives, the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories, Canada Science Council, and the International Society of Endovascular Surgeons, among others. He has been an inspiration to youth, motivating them to understand the importance of achieving higher education.