Erythrocyte Disorders: Smear Case 8: Ovalocytes, Elliptocytes and Stomatocytes (Hydrocytes)

Question

A frail 85-year-old woman living in an extended care facility was found lying on the floor. Her eating habits had been irregular and food intake scanty. Her skin had tissue paper-like quality, with a pearly grey sheen. In good light a faint lemon-yellow color became evident.

Her hemoglobin was 9.2 mg/dl. The peripheral blood smear (upper and lower photographs) is most consistent with:

More than one answer is correct. Please select all correct answers

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Alcoholism effects

Chemotherapy effects

Folic acid deficiency

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