What tests can be done to try to determine the cause of the anemia?
A serum biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and fecal evaluation are often used as screening tests to try to determine the cause or source of the chronic blood loss. The biochemistry profile may indicate low serum proteins; this finding confirms an external loss of blood. The biochemistry profile may indicate that there is ongoing intestinal bleeding by an elevation in a substance called urea. A urinalysis (urine sample) can be evaluated for the presence of red blood cells. As well, an examination of the cellular components of a urine sample (termed urine sediment examination) may alert us to the presence of unusual cells that might suggest an underlying bladder tumor as the source of the blood loss. A fecal sample can be analyzed for the presence of intestinal parasites that may be contributing to blood loss via the gastrointestinal tract. Depending upon what is found with these screening tests, further diagnostic testing may be required to pinpoint the source of chronic blood loss. Bas
