Anaemia

Question 1

What is Anaemia + most common cause?

Answer 1

Low serum Hb concentration

Iron deficiency

Question 2

Assessing for Anaemia?

Answer 2

1) History and examination (dependent on symptoms)
2) FBC - Hb + MCV
3) Screen for suspected cause e.g. low iron/B12/folate

Question 3

Common Symptoms of Anaemia (general + iron deficiency)?

Answer 3

General: Fatigue, Dyspnoea, Headache

Iron deficiency: Pallor, glossitis + koilonychia

Question 4

What is Microcytic Anaemia + causes?

Answer 4

Low MCV, 'TAILS':
Thalassaemia 
Anaemia of CHRONIC DISEASE
Iron deficiency
Lead poisoning
Sideroblastic (body produces sideroblasts > RBCs)

Question 5

What is Normocytic Anaemia + common causes?

Answer 5

Normal MCV, 'ABCD':
Acute blood Loss
Bone Marrow failure
Chronic Disease (can also be microcytic)
Destruction (Haemolytic)

Question 6

What is Macrocytic Anaemia + common causes?

Answer 6

High MCV, 'FAT RBC':
Foetus (Pregnancy)
Alcohol 
Thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Reticulocytosis (compensation for haemolysis(
B12/Folate deficiency
Cirrhosis/chronic Liver Disease

Question 7

Assessing for Haemolytic Anaemia?

Answer 7

1) History + Abdo Examination - Jaundice, Hepatosplenomegaly + dark urine.
2) FBC - Hb + MCV
3) LFTs - MORE Unconjugated Bilirubin
4) Urinary urobilinogen - unconjugated bilirubin
5) Blood film
6) Coomb’s - determine cause