Anaemia

Question 1

Causes of microcytic anaemia:

Answer 1

TAILS:
T – Thalassaemia
A – Anaemia of chronic disease
I – Iron deficiency anaemia
L – Lead poisoning
S – Sideroblastic anaemia

Question 2

Normocytic Anaemia Causes:

Answer 2

3 As and 2 Hs:
A – Acute blood loss
A – Anaemia of Chronic Disease
A – Aplastic Anaemia
H – Haemolytic Anaemia
H – Hypothyroidism

Question 3

Macrocytic Anaemia (megaloblastic) causes

Answer 3

Result of impaired DNA synthesis preventing cell from dividing normally - caused by vitamin deficiency

B12 deficiency
Folate deficiency

Question 4

Macrocytic (normoblastic) anaemia causes: (x5)

Answer 4

• Alcohol
• Reticulocytoisis (usually from haemolytic anaemia or blood loss)
• Hypothyroidism
• Liver disease
• Drugs such as azathioprine

Question 5

Signs/ Symptoms specific to Iron Deficiency Anaemia:

Answer 5

• Pica - describes dietary cravings for abnormal things such as dirt
• Hair loss
• Koilonychia (is spoon-shaped nails)
• Angular Cheilitis (sores at corner of mouth)
• Atrophic glossitis (smooth tongue)

Question 6

Jaundice with anaemia suggests which cause:

Answer 6

Haemolytic anaemia

Question 7

Bone deformities and anaemia suggests which cause:

Answer 7

Thalassaemia

Question 8

Oedema, hypertension and excoriations on the skin

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Anaemia

Suggests which cause

Answer 8

can indicate chronic kidney disease

Question 9

Investigations for anaemia:

Answer 9

Haemoglobin
Mean Cell Volume (MCV)
B12
Folate
Ferritin
Blood film

Question 10

Further investigations:

Answer 10

1. Oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy (OGD) and colonoscopy:
   to investigate for a gastrointestinal cause of unexplained iron deficiency anaemia. This is done on an urgent cancer referral for suspected gastrointestinal cancer.
2. Bone marrow biopsy:
   may be required if the cause is unclear