Anemia Flashcards
Normal Hemoglobin range?
males: 14-18 g/100mL
females: 12-16 g/100mL
Normal Hematocrit range?
males: 40-54%
females: 37-47%
Normal Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) lab range?
250-450 ug/dl
- total amnt of iron bound to binding sites on transferrin
- two binding sites per transferrin protein
Potential causes of low Total Iron Binding Capacity?
- hemolytic anemia; RBC’s being destroyed
- pernicious anemia; anemia d/t low vitamin B12
- hypoproteinemia
- inflammation
- malnutrition
- cirrhosis of liver
What does transferrin do?
- transports iron from GIT and macrophages to bone marrow for RBC production
- produced by the liver
Where is transferrin produced?
in the liver
Where is iron absorbed?
enterocytes in duodenum
Which protein transfers iron in the blood to tissues?
transferrin
Which protein stores iron in the cells in bone marrow, liver, and spleen?
ferritin
What does ferritin do?
stores iron in the cells of the:
- macrophages of bone marrow
- liver
- spleen
Where is ferritin produced?
- macrophage of bone marrow
- liver
Which lab value is an expression of the average volume and size of individual erythrocytes, and can differentiate between microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic anemia?
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
- microcytic < 80
- normocytic/normal range 80-100
- macrocytic > 100
What is the purpose of the Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)?
to differentiate between micro, normo, and macrocytic anemia
A Mean Corpuscular Volume < 80 is indicative of what condition?
microcytic anemia
- RBC are smaller than normal
- most common cause is iron deficiency, which leads to a deficiency in hemoglobin
What will the Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) be in a patient with iron deficiency anemia?
MCV < 80 ug/dl
- iron deficiency anemia is a microcytic (small size), hypochromic (less Hgb, less color) form of anemia
What is the most common type of anemia?
iron deficiency anemia
What are causes of iron deficiency anemia?
- low iron intake
- low GI absorption
- blood loss
- celiacs disease
- pregnancy
What lab results will be seen in a patient with iron deficiency anemia?
- low Hgb
- low HCT
- low MCV (< 80 = mycrocytic)
- low MCHC (< 32 = hypochromic)
- low ferritin (< 12 mcg/dl)
- low serum iron (< 50 mg/dl)
- High TIBC (increased d/t need)
- High RDW without other RBC abnormalities
- transferrin saturation ration< 15%
What is pica?
condition in which a person craves non-food items and do not have any nutritional value
What are the s/s of anemia?
- fatigue
- dizziness
- HA
- dyspnea
- pallor
- tachycardia
- exercise intolerance
What is the purpose of the Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) lab test?
- it measures the differences in the volume and size of erythrocytes
- a high value means there is a major difference in the size of the smallest and largest RBC and is indicative of anemia
Which lab test is used to measures the differences in the volume and size of erythrocytes?
Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
Can oral iron be given with antacids, why or why not?
No, because antacids interfere with the absorption of the iron
What affect does Vitamin C have on iron absorption?
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron
- take with juices containing Vitamin C
What is the term for a genetic disorder that causes an abnormal Hgb production and microcytic, hypochromic anemia?
Thalassemia
