anaemia Flashcards
what two types of anaemia depend on the size of red blood cells?
Mircocytic and macrocytic (and normocytic)
what blood tests would you do to test iron deficiency anaemia?
ferritin (decreased)
transferrin saturations (decreased)
TIBC (increased)
list 4 causes of microcytic anaemia
thalassaemia
iron deficiency
anaemia of chronic disease
sideroblastic anaemia
when might ferritin levels be falsely raised?
in infection as it is also an acute phase protein
what would you expect on a blood test indicating anaemia of chronic disease?
increased ferritin
decreased or normal TIBC (as decreased transferrin levels)
what abnormal bowel conditions may lead to reduced absorption of iron?
crohn’s
coeliac
atrophic gastritis
4 causes of iron deficiency
- poor intake
- reduced absorption (post gastrectomy)
- increased losses
- increased demand (growth pregnancy)
name two foods which interfere with the absorption of iron
thalins
chocolate
name two medications which interfere with the absorption of iron
PPIs
Calcium supplements
an acidic environment is required for the absorption of iron, as these alter the pH they will interfere. Iron supplements are usually advised to be taken with orange juice as it helps absorption
name two conditions which could cause occult blood loss leading to iron deficiency
GI ulcer
GI malignancy
three reasons for poor intake of iron
vegetarian
eating disorders
‘tea and toast’ diet in the elderly
3 states which increase the demand for iron intake
childhood
pregnancy
breastfeeding
koilonychia is a sign of what
longstanding iron deficiency anaemia
jaundice is indicative of which type of anaemia
haemolytic anaemia
bone deformities are seen in which type of anaemia
thalassaemia major
leg ulcers are associated with which type of anaemia
sickle cell
which protein acts at the intestinal haem transporter? where is it expressed most? and in what situations might its expression be increased
HCP1
Duodenum - prime sight for non-ahem iron absorption
ureg’d in hypoxia and iron deficiency
what is the normal serum iron level
13-32 micromol/L
what is transferrin
a beta globulin synthesized in the liver
transports iron in the plasma
each molecule can bind 2 iron atoms
in which cells is iron stored
hepatocytes, skeletal muscle and reticuloendothelial cells
what is ferritin
water soluble iron store present in the plasma
it is also an acute phase protein and so may be falsely raised in the presence of inflammatory or malignant diseases
what is haemosiderin
insoluble iron store found in macrophages in bone, marrow and spleen
which conditions cause increased body iron content
hereditary haemochromatosis - mutation in HFE gene incr absorption
secondary haemochromatosis - iron overload in conditions with regular blood transfusion
presence of target cells on a blood film are due to what?
breakdown of RBCs lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase deficiency haemoglobinopathies iron deficiency liver disease spleen removal