Which condition can cause chronic iron deficiency in patients?

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic disorder that leads to abnormal blood vessel formation, resulting in frequent bleeding episodes, particularly from the nose, gastrointestinal tract, or other areas. This chronic bleeding can significantly deplete iron stores in the body, leading to iron deficiency anemia. The continuous loss of blood means that the body struggles to maintain adequate iron levels, as iron is essential for producing hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

In contrast, the other conditions mentioned do not primarily result in chronic iron deficiency. Hyperthyroidism can increase metabolic demands but isn't directly responsible for iron loss. Diabetes may have a variety of complications but typically does not lead to iron deficiency in the absence of other conditions. Similarly, vitamin D deficiency, while impacting bone health and immune function, does not cause iron deficiency directly. Thus, HHT is the condition most clearly associated with chronic iron deficiency due to its bleeding risks.