Anemia Flashcards
What is the definition of Anemia?
Decrease in the number of red blood cells or less than normal quantity of hemoglobin (Hgb) in the blood
What does anemia result in?
Decreased oxygenated blood carrying capacity
Where are RBCs developed? Adult/Child
What are the components of RBC?
Hemoglobin taht contains protein component and heme component
What is erythropoiesis?
Works on a feedback loop
– ↓ tissue oxygen concentration signals the kidneys to ↑ production and release of EPO
What does Erythropoiesis do?
lStimulates stem cels to differentiate
Increase release of reticulocytes from bone marrow
Induces HB formation
What are the 3 main causes of anemia?
Blood loss
Inadequate RBC production
Excessive RBC destruction
What are the three different sizes of RBC morphology?
Microcytic, Normocytic, Macrocytic
What are the three different colours of RBC?
Hypochromic
Normochromic
Hyperchromic
If considered less then <80 fl what is the relative size?
Microcytic or small
If considered between 80-100 fl what is the relative size?
Normocytic
If considered less then >100 fl what is the relative size?
Macrocytic
What is colour reflected in with respect to RBC?>
by the mean corpuscular Hb concentration
What is the primary cause of microcytic based RB? (2)
primarily a result of Hb synthesis failure or Hb
insufficiency
can be due to issues with the “heme” portion or the “globin” portion
What does normocytic anemia mean?
RBC are
normal-sized but there is a low # of them
– ↓ decreased production or ↑ destruction or loss
With respect to macrocytic what can the RBC be?
Megaoblastic or Non-Megablastic
What is megaloblastic RBCs? Caused by?
–mpaired DNA synthesis – Ex: B12, folate deficiency
What is Non-megaloblastic RBCs? Caused by?
Not caused by impaired DNA synthesis
Liver disease
What is the general onset of anemia?
May be acute or develop slowly
What is the end result in anemia?
Decrease in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
Common symptoms of anemia?
– Fatigue, dizziness, weakness, SOB, tachycardia
– ↓ mental acuity
– Pallor, cold extremities
What is the diagnosis of anemia usually include?
Medical history
Physical exam
Lab Evaluation
What things the medical history are we looking for?
– Past & current hgb & bloodwork if available
– Comorbid conditions
– Occupational, environmental & social history
– Transfusion
– Family history
– Medications
What things in the Physical examination are we looking for?
– Pallor
– Postural hypotension, tachycardia (hypovolemia – acute blood loss)
– Neurologic findings (B12 deficiency)
– Jaundice? (hemolysis)
– Bleeding gums, blood in stool, urine, epistaxis etc. (hemorrhage)
What lab values are we investigating with respect to Complete blood count
Hb
Hematocrit
RBC count
RBC indices
What is Hematocrit?
Packed cell volume
What is the RBC indicies MCV?
Mean Corpuscular Volume
What is the RBC indicies MCH?
Mean corpuscular hemoglobim
What is the RBC indicies MCHC?q
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
What is the RBC indicies RDW
Red blood cell distribution width
What is Mean Corpuscular hemoglobin
Average amount of hemoglobin in each RBC
According to WHO what is ocnsidered low hemoglobin?
Men <130
Women <120
What is iron deficient anemia?
A negative state of iron balance in which daily iron intake are unable to meet RBC and other body tissue needs
What are the causes of Iron Deficient Anemia?
Lack of Dietary intake
Blood loss
Decrease absorption
Increased requirement
Impaired utilization
What is the Acronym NIMBLE stand for?
Need – increased need as in pregnancy, children during stages
of rapid growth, etc.
Intake is low, e.g. in malnutrition
Malabsorption
Blood
Loss, e.g. GI bleeding
Excessive donation, e.g. in blood donors
Why do we treat Iron deficient anemia?
Low risk of mortaility, but can cause or aggravate underlying pulmonary/CV dosirders
Morbidity, May impair daily functiontining. Slowed growth rate in children and decreased ability to learn
What is Splenomegaly?
Enlarged spleen
What is Anemia associated with in elderly?
– ↑ risk of hospitalization and mortality – ↓ quality of life
– ↓ physical functioning
In pregnancy anemia increases risk for?
Low birth weights
Preterm delivery
Perinatal Mortality
How muhc iron does our body contain?
3-5g with 2g found in Hg
What form is iron usually storred as?
Ferritin or aggregated ferritin in the liver spleen and bone marrow
Where is a small fraction of iron storred?
Plasma which most is bound to transferrin
What is serum iron?
Concentration of iron bound to transferrin. Best interpreted in context with TIBC; fluctuate, subject to individual diurnal variation & may remain in normal range when iron stores are dropping
What is ferritin?
– ‘Storage iron’
– Most sensitive but non-specific and is elevated in inflammatory conditions, liver disorders etc.
What is the definition of TIBC?
Total iron binding capacity
– Indirect measurement of iron-binding capacity of transferrin, performed by adding and excess of iron to plasma to saturate and then removing the excess
– Serum transferrin receptor levels , which reflect the amount of RBC precursors available for active proliferation are increased in iron deficiency anemia
What is Tsat?
(% transferrin saturation)
What is tsat define?
– A measure of how much serum iron is actually bound – Serum iron ÷ TIBC x 100
In iron deficiency anemia what are we expecting to see with respect to decreases?
Ferritin
Serum Iron
Transferrin saturation
Hb and Hct (Decline later)
What do we expect to see increases in with respect to iron deficiency anemia?
Total iron binding capacity
What is the general RBC morphology in Iron deficient anemia?
– Microcytic (↓ MCV)
– Hypochromic (↓ MCHC)
Where is Heme iron derived from?
– Derived from animal proteins
– Better absorbed, more consistent absorption (~23% more) – Less affected by dietary factors
Where is non-heme iron derived from>?
– Plant sources
– Fruits and vegetables, nuts, beans, grains, iron-fortified foods/supplements
– Requires acidic GI pH for absorption
What decreases absorption of iron?
Phytates *Grains, brans)
Polyphenols/tannins (Coffee/tea)
Calcium
PPIs, H2RAs
Bariatric surgery
What increases iron absorption?
Stomach acidity
Eating heme and non heme soources at the same time
Cook with cast iron or stainless steel to increase the amount of non-heme iron
What are the three criteria assessed for iron deficiency anemia?
Based on:
– Symptoms
– Medical history
– CBC, labs, morphology
What are the other symptoms that may occur with iron deficient anemia?
– Brittle, spoon-shaped nails
– Pica
– Pagophagia
– Smooth tongue
What is PICA?
craving and chewing substances that have no nutritional value
What are the 2 formulations available for iron?
Oral and parenteral iron therapy
What is the general adult dosing of iron each day?
105-200mg elemntal per day
% of absorption of F Fumerate
33%
% of absorption of F Sulphate
20%
% of absorption of F Gluconate
11%
Whaat is the % of absorption of polysaccaride iron complex
Feramax 100%
Are supplements usually heme or non-heme sources?
Non-heme