Differential Diagnosis for Chronic Constipation and Malabsorption

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

• Giardiasis: This parasitic infection can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. Giardia lamblia can be difficult to detect in stool samples, especially if the infection is intermittent or the parasite load is low.

Other Likely Diagnoses

• Strongyloidiasis: This parasitic infection can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. Strongyloides stercoralis can be difficult to detect in stool samples, and the infection can persist for years if left untreated.
• Blastocystis hominis: This parasitic infection can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. Blastocystis hominis can be difficult to detect in stool samples, and the infection can persist for years if left untreated.
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): This condition can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. SIBO can be difficult to diagnose, and stool tests may not always detect the overgrowth of bacteria.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

• Celiac Disease: This autoimmune disorder can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. Celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose, and a delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including malnutrition and increased risk of osteoporosis and certain cancers.
• Crohn's Disease: This inflammatory bowel disease can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. Crohn's disease can be difficult to diagnose, and a delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including bowel obstruction, fistulas, and increased risk of colon cancer.
• Colon Cancer: This malignant disease can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. Colon cancer can be difficult to diagnose, and a delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including bowel obstruction, perforation, and metastasis.

Rare Diagnoses

• Whipple's Disease: This rare bacterial infection can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. Whipple's disease can be difficult to diagnose, and a delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including heart failure, neurological symptoms, and death.
• Abetalipoproteinemia: This rare genetic disorder can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. Abetalipoproteinemia can be difficult to diagnose, and a delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including vitamin deficiencies, neurological symptoms, and increased risk of certain cancers.
• Tropical Sprue: This rare condition can cause chronic constipation, malabsorption, and iron-deficient anemia. Tropical sprue can be difficult to diagnose, and a delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, and increased risk of certain infections.