Does dilutional anemia need treatment?
A9. By NAAC Hematologist/Oncologist Jerry L. Spivak, MD. Posted 8/1/02. Dilutional anemia, such as that associated with splenomegaly and portal hypertension or pregnancy, does not usually require treatment. In these situations, with respect to oxygen delivery, the reduction in blood viscosity due to the increase in plasma volume offsets the reduction in hematocrit. The difficulty is in determining when anemia is dilutional as opposed to absolute. Q10. Is there evidence that vitamin C improves the effectiveness of oral iron treatment? A10. By NAAC Hematologist/Oncologist Jerry L. Spivak, MD. Posted 7/18/02. Vitamin C is one of the compounds that chelate nonheme food (ferric) iron in the acidic environment of the stomach for absorption in the alkaline environment of the duodenum. When there is normal gastric function, adequate vitamin C is available for this purpose and exogenous vitamin C adds no benefit. When there is achlorhydria, it is unlikely that vitamin C not chelated to ferric i
