What blood test might be part of the workup for a 68-year-old female presenting with unintentional weight loss?

In the context of a 68-year-old female presenting with unintentional weight loss, measuring hemoglobin is essential as it can provide insight into several potential underlying conditions. Unintentional weight loss in older adults can often be associated with a variety of health issues, including malignancies, chronic infections, or gastrointestinal disorders that may lead to anemia.

Assessing hemoglobin levels can help identify anemia, which is a common finding in such conditions. Anemia might arise due to gastrointestinal bleeding from malignancies or ulcers, nutritional deficiencies, or chronic diseases. Identifying low hemoglobin levels can prompt further investigation into the causes, and guide management effectively.

The other tests may also have their place depending on the full clinical presentation, but they do not specifically address the most immediate concerns related to unintentional weight loss in this demographic. For instance, while thyroid function tests can certainly help investigate hyperthyroidism (which can cause weight loss), the most direct test relevant to the evaluation of anemia is the hemoglobin level. Similarly, a lipid panel could provide information on cardiovascular risk but does not relate directly to the symptom of weight loss. Troponin levels are typically used to evaluate myocardial injury, which is not directly relevant in the context of unintentional weight