Sideroblastic anemia history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Shyam Patel [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Nazia Fuad M.D.

The hallmark of sideroblastic anemia is fatigue, decreased exercise tolerance, and dizziness. A positive history of toxin or drug exposure, family history of unexplained anemia, and alcoholism is suggestive of sideroblastic anemia. The most common symptoms of sideroblastic anemia include malaise, irritability, fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and palpitations. Less common symptoms are diarrhea, polyuria, deafness, blindness, and abdominal pain.

• The hallmark of sideroblastic anemia is fatigue, decreased exercise tolerance, and dizziness.
• A positive history of toxin or drug exposure, family history of unexplained anemia, GI surgery, use of copper chelating agents, myelodysplastic syndrome, lead exposure, and alcoholism is suggestive of sideroblastic anemia. The most common symptoms of sideroblastic anemia include malaise, irritability, fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and palpitation.

Patients with sideroblastic anemia may have a positive history of:^[1]

• Alcohol use
• Medications
• Positive genetic history
• GI surgery
• Enteral or parenteral nutrition
• Increase zinc ingestion
• Use of copper chelating agents
• Malabsorption
• Myelodysplastic syndrome
• Lead exposure
• Psychiatric disease with possible coin ingestion

Common symptoms of sideroblastic anemia include:

• Headache
• Malaise
• Fatigue
• Dyspnea on exertion
• Palpitations
• Irritability

Less common symptoms of sideroblastic anemia include:

• Abdominal pain
• Incoordination
• Failure of growth
• Diarrhea
• Polyuria
• Blindness
• Deafness

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