A case of severe iron-deficiency anaemia as a result of intractable menorrhagia is described. Following treatment with an iron dextran infusion, an impaired haematological response occurred; this was shown to be the result of vitamin B12 deficiency despite the presence of abundant free hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice. The severe anaemia (3.5 g. %) was corrected within 5 weeks by one iron dextran infusion and vitamin B12 therapy prior to hysterectomy.
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