Anaemia (Fe absorption, B12, folate) Flashcards
1
Q
Mean cell volume
A
Average size of RBCs
2
Q
Mean corpuscular volume
A
Average mass of haemoglobin per RBC
3
Q
Haematocrit
A
Proportion of blood containing RBCs
4
Q
Macrocytic anaemia
A
Overly large RBCs, not enough normal sized cells
5
Q
Microcytic anaemia
A
Small RBCs and not enough normal cells
6
Q
Anaemia symptoms
A
- Fatigue, loss of energy
- heart palpitations
- SOB
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Pale skin
- Leg cramps
- Insomnia
7
Q
What is anaemia?
A
Decreased Hb, decreased erythropoiesis
Increased RBC destruction
8
Q
How long do erythrocytes last and where are they broken down?
A
120 days, spleen
9
Q
How does O2 bind to RBCs
A
- Fe sitting below porphyrin ring
- 4 subunits - 2 alpha and 2 beta
- Each has a haem group
- Each Fe binds to one O2 molecule
10
Q
Which four molecules can bind to Hb
A
O2, CO2, CO and NO
11
Q
When is erythropoietin produced?
A
Fall in oxygen to kidneys - cells lining kidneys
12
Q
Indications of anaemia on blood test
A
Hb, MCV, HCHC
13
Q
Why does sickle cell anaemia cause splenomegaly?
A
Breaks down so many RBCs
14
Q
Iron deficiency
A
- Low iron leads to low Hb production
- 2 forms - dietary iron in the form of heme (meat, blood) or non-heme (leafy green veg)
- Normally loss of iron = faeces and menstrual blood loss
- Abnormal blood loss = haemorrhage and chronic blood loss
- Iron comprises O2 binding factor in haemoglobin and its deficiency limits O2 carrying capacity of blood
15
Q
Folate deficiency
A
- Reduced intake
- Increased demand
- Malabsorption
- Drugs
- Stores last 4 months
- Comes from green veg, nuts, liver
- Methotrexate damages folic acid pathway
