Anaemia

Question 1

Microcytic anaemia

Answer 1

iron-deficiency anaemia

thalassaemia*

congenital sideroblastic anaemia

anaemia of chronic disease (more commonly a normocytic, normochromic picture)

lead poisoning

*in beta-thalassaemia minor the microcytosis is often disproportionate to the anaemia

A question sometimes seen in exams gives a history of a normal haemoglobin level associated with a microcytosis. In patients not at risk of thalassaemia, this should raise the possibility of polycythaemia rubra vera which may cause an iron-deficiency secondary to bleeding.

Question 2

Normocytic anaemia

Answer 2

anaemia of chronic disease

chronic kidney disease

aplastic anaemia

haemolytic anaemia

Question 3

Macrocytic anaemia - Megaloblastic

Answer 3

vitamin B12 deficiency

folate deficiency

Question 4

Macrocytic anaemia - Normoblastic

Answer 4

alcohol

liver disease

hypothyroidism

pregnancy

reticulocytosis

myelodysplasia

drugs: cytotoxics