system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 61-year-old woman presents for a routine health visit. She complains of generalized fatigue and lethargy on most days of the week for the past 4 months. She has no significant past medical history and is not taking any medications. She denies any history of smoking or recreational drug use but states that she drinks “socially” approx. 6 nights a week. She says she also enjoys a “nightcap,” which is 1–2 glasses of wine before bed every night. The patient is afebrile, and her vital signs are within normal limits. On physical examination, there is significant pallor of the mucous membranes. Laboratory findings are significant for a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of 72 fL, leukocyte count of 4,800/mL, hemoglobin of 11.0 g/dL, and platelet count of 611,000/mL. She is started on oral ferrous sulfate supplements. On follow-up, her laboratory parameters show no interval change in her MCV or platelet level. Which of the following is the best next step in the management of this patient?
assistant
Continue oral ferrous sulfate and supplement with ascorbic acid