What are common causes of anemia?

• A. Dietary deficiencies, blood loss, bone marrow suppression, RBC destruction
• B. Infectious disease only
• C. Vitamin C deficiency
• D. Excess iron intake

Answer: (A)

Anemia happens when the red blood cell mass is reduced because cells aren’t being produced enough, they’re lost, or they’re destroyed faster than they can be replaced. The best answer covers the major ways this can occur: dietary deficiencies (not enough iron, B12, or folate to build RBCs), blood loss (which directly lowers circulating RBCs), bone marrow suppression (factors like aplastic anemia or chemotherapy that blunt production), and red blood cell destruction (hemolysis from autoimmune processes, inherited disorders, or other injuries). Together, these categories explain most common causes you’ll see in practice.

Infectious disease alone isn’t a sufficient explanation for anemia, and vitamin C deficiency isn’t a typical primary cause of anemia. Excess iron intake doesn’t usually cause anemia and is more associated with iron overload, which is a different problem altogether.