Anemia

Question 1

What is Anemia ?

Answer 1

• Defined as low concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, not having enough healthy RBC or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body’s tissue.

Question 2

Types of Anemia?

Answer 2

• Iron deficiency anemia (most common)
• Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
• Folic acid deficiency anemia
• Chronic disease anemia
• Idiopathic aplastic anemia
• Hemolytic anemia
• Magoblastic anemia
• Sickle cell anemia
• Thalassemia

Question 3

Based on MCV (mean cell volume) Aneamia is divided into 3 categories?

Answer 3

• Microcytic anemia, which is low MCV
• Normocytic anemia, which is normal MCV
• Macrocytic anemia, which is high or large MCV

Question 4

MCV ranges ?

Answer 4

• Microcytic anemia < 80
• Normocytic anemia 80-100
• Macrocytic hypochromic anemia > 100

Question 5

The degree of anemia?

Answer 5

• Mild anemia—> Hb = 90-120
• Moderate anemia —> Hb = 60-90
• Severe anemia —> Hb < 60
• Very severe anemia—> Hb < 30
  • Normal Hb level for female = 120-150 g/L
  • Normal Hb level for male = 138-172 g/L

Question 6

Microcytic anemia causes ?

Answer 6

• Mnemonic : “TAILS”
- T : Thallassemia
- A : Anemia of inflammation
- I : Iron deficiency anemia
- L : Lead poisoning
- S : Sideroblastic anemia

Question 7

Causes of Normocytic anemia?

Answer 7

• Mnemonic: 3As and 2Hs
- A: Acute blood loss
- A: Anemia of chronic disease
- A: Aplastic anemia
- H: Hemolytic anemia
- H: Hypothyroidism

Question 8

Causes of macrocytic anemia?

Answer 8

• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Folate (folic acid) deficiency

Question 9

Symptoms of Anemia?

Answer 9

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitation
• Pale skin
• Tachycardia
• Raised respiratory rate
• Conjunctival pollar

Question 10

Lab tests?

Answer 10

• Peripheral blood:
- Blood routine test: RBC, Hct, Hb, erythrocytes, indexes ( MCV, MCH, MCHC)
- Blood smear
- Reticulocytes count (Ret)
• Bone marrow (BM)
• Investigation for causes

Question 11

Treatment?

Answer 11

• For Megaloblastic anemia:
- Vitamin B12, Folic acid for iron deficiency anemia
- Iron supplements
• Anemia associated with bone marrow disease:
- Chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation
• For symptoms/correct anemia
- Transfusion
- Hormonal therapies
- Immunosuppressive
- Splenectomy (for hemolytic anemia)