Mary goes to the doctor because she has been feeling tired. Her doctor runs a test and finds out that Mary has low levels of red blood cells. Her hemoglobin levels are also low. Which nutrient is Mary likely lacking?
Mary is likely lacking iron. Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin, and low levels of both suggest a deficiency in this nutrient.
Mary is likely lacking iron. Iron is an essential nutrient for the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin. When someone has low levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin, it is often an indicator of iron deficiency. To determine this answer, we can start by understanding that red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, and hemoglobin is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen within red blood cells. Since Mary's doctor found low levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin, it suggests that Mary's body is not producing enough red blood cells or hemoglobin due to a nutrient deficiency. Among the options given, iron is the most relevant nutrient because it is crucial for the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Fat, calcium, and vitamin D are not directly related to the production of red blood cells or hemoglobin, so they are less likely to be the nutrient Mary is lacking.
