The bone marrow in nutritional deficiencies.

The overwhelming majority of nutritional deficiencies that affect the bone marrow and blood are due to the lack of vitamin B12, folic acid, or iron or combinations thereof. The two vitamins are closely related in DNA synthesis, whereas iron is the most abundant heavy metal in the body and is chiefly utilized for hemoglobin synthesis. Concomitant conditions of vitamin B12 and/or folate deficiency along with iron deficiency are not infrequent, and one type of anemia may mask the other. It is important to establish the correct diagnoses, as therapy directed at the wrong deficiency may hide the real deficiency with disastrous results. Specific diagnostic tests are now available to determine definitive diagnoses, and specific therapy is readily available to restore and maintain a normal nutrient status.