Anaemia Flashcards
What 3 things does bone marrow production of cells respond to?
Hypoxia, infection and bleeding
What 2 things are necessary for cell production?
Healthy bone marrow
Adequate haemotinics
What is the lifespan of RBCs?
120 days
What is the lifespan of granulocytes?
7hr circulation
30hr tissue
What is the lifespan of platelets?
10 days
What causes pancytopenia?
Bone marrow damage or production problem
What is the general cause of a single cell cytopenia?
Peripheral destruction eg AI
Explain how you would use the FBC when looking for anaemia
Identify anaemia in Hb
Look at MCV
Look at reticulocyte count
Explain how you would use the FBC when looking for leucocytopenia
Look at WCC
Look at differentials (each cell count)
Look at blood film
What is the most common cause of a microcytic anaemia?
Fe deficiency
What is the most common cause of a macrocytic anaemia?
Vit B12 deficiency
What is the general cause of a huge macrocytic anaemia?
DNA synthesis problems
Low Hb, Low MCV, ethnic background, no previous normal FBC. Dx?
Beta thalassaemia trait
How do you diagnose beta thalassaemia trait?
Raised HbA2
Low Hb, low MCV, low ferritin, low Fe, high transferrin.
Dx?
Iron deficiency anaemia
What is the key haematological feature of iron deficiency anaemia?
Low ferritin
How do you differentiate IDA and ACD?
Transferrin - high in IDA, low in ACD
Describe the pathophysiology of ACD?
Iron stores adequate but not available for erythropoietin, due to hepcidin (antibacterial that removes iron from blood to stop bacterial reproduction)
What are the only haematological changes in ACD?
High ferritin and ESR
What is megaloblastic anaemia?
Mismatch of nucleus : cytoplasm maturation
List 2 causes of megaloblastic anaemia
Vit b12 or folate deficiency
Where is B12 absorbed?
Terminal ileum
Where is folate absorbed?
Proximal jejunum
What causes pernicious anaemia?
AI destruction of gastric cells that secrete intrinsic factor, resulting in B12 deficiency
