Copper deficiency (hypocupremia) and pancytopenia late after gastric bypass surgery.

We describe a woman with previous gastric bypass surgery who presented with pancytopenia and bone marrow biopsy findings consistent with a myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts. She was found to be significantly copper deficient. With replacement copper therapy, her cytopenias quickly resolved. We discuss the distinctive clinical and hematologic features of this rare cause of significant cytopenias and provide recommendations for monitoring and treatment of such patients. Moreover, this case is an important reminder that bariatric patients should have routine follow-ups after surgery and continue dietary supplements indefinitely. PMID: 24082414 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Tags: Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) Source Type: research