15. Intro to Anaemia Flashcards
What is anaemia defined as?
Low haemoglobin
What are the consequences of anaemia?
Fatigue
Hypoxia
Cardiac failure and angina
Dyspnoea
What tests are used to diagnose anaemia?
FBC, Hb, MCV Reticulocyte count Blood film Fe, B12, folate Antibody test Bone marrow trephine
What is a reticulocyte?
Early form of an RBC
Larger than mature so involved in macrocytic anaemia
What is the MCV?
Mean Corpuscular Volume
Gives the size of RBCs
What are the causes of microcytic anaemia?
Iron deficiency Thalassaemia Sideroblastic (impaired function of bone marrow)
What are the causes of macrocytic anaemia?
B12 or iron deficiency (megaloblastic)
Alcohol, liver disease, hypothyroidism (non-megaloblastic)
What are the causes of normocytic anaemia?
Chronic disease
Renal disease
Blood loss
What are the causes of iron deficiency?
Dietary
Malabsorption
Blood loss
Increased requirement
What are the clinical features of iron deficient anaemia?
Mucosal pallor
Angular cheilitis
Atrophic glossitis
Brittle nails and koilonychia
What are the lab results for Fe deficient anaemia?
Low Hb, MCV and ferritin
What measure should be taken if a patient over 40 has iron deficient anaemia with no obvious cause?
Upper and lower GI endoscopy
Where is folate absorbed?
Duodenum and upper jejunum
What are the causes of folate deficient anaemia?
Malnutrition
Malabsorption
Increased requirements
Drugs (anticonvulsants)
What is a possible reason for an increased requirement of folate?
Malignancy
