Anaemia and Thrombocytopenia (haematology pathology) Flashcards
What are the causes of anaemia?
1) Haematinic deficiencies
2) Secondary to chronic disease
3) Haemolysis
4) alcohol, drugs, toxins
5) Renal impairment (lack of erythropoeitin)
6) Primary haematological / bone marrow disease
What are the causes of Macrocytic anaemia?
1) B12, Folate deficiency (e.g. thyroid / liver disease)
- bone marrow damage (alcohol, drugs, marrow disease)
- Haemolysis (caused by reticulocytosis)
What are the causes of normocytic anaemia?
-anaemia of a chronic or inflammatory disease
What are the causes of microcytic anaemia/?
- Iron deficiency
- Haemoglobin disorders
What type of anaemia does iron deficiency and haemoglobin disorders cause?
Microcytic anaemia
What type of anaemia does B12/ folate deficiency, marrow damage and haemolysis cause?
Macrocytic anaemia
Where is iron absorbed?
duodenum
What MCV and MCH are small, pale red cells indicative of?
Low MCV and Low MCH
what are the main causes of iron deficiency?
- Blood loss
- Increased demand ie. pregnancy
- reduced intake
What is the cause of megaloblastic anaemia/
impaired DNA synthesis
What is the MCV of large red cells?
High MCV
How do B12 and Folate cause anaemia?
- DNA consists of purine/pyrimidine bases
- folate is required for DNA synthesis
- B12 is essential for folate generation.
- So low folate / B12 leads to impaired DNA synthesis
- so impaired replication
What is needed for the absorption of B!2?
Intrinsic factor which is produced by the gastric parietal cells
What causes increased usage of folic acid?
1) pregnancy
2) haemolysis
3) inflammatory disorders
What are the following features common to?
- Mild Jaundice
- Glossitis
- anorexia
- Megaloblastic anaemia
B12 or Folate deficiency
