Anemia and Hematopoietic Growth Factor Pharmacology Flashcards
What is the distribution of iron in your body?
Hemoglobin 70%
Myoglobin 10%
Ferritin and Hemosiderin (storage) 10-20%
Enzymes 1%
Describe the absorption of heme iron
Itron from animal sources (heme iron) may be absorbed intact
What form must non-heme iron be in for absorption?
Must be converted to ferrous (Fe2+) form
What is the protein transporter involved in iron absorption from the GI lumen?
DMT1
What will iron complex with if its destination is the bone marrow? What is that iron used for?
Transferrin.
That iron will be used for blood cell precursors.
What will iron complex with for storage?
Ferritin
Where is ferritin mainly present in the body?
Liver
Spleen
Plasma
What is the function of ferroportin?
Involved in the export of iron in the intestinal epithelium
How does hepcidin affect iron?
In what disease would high hepcidin play a role?
Hepcidin downregulates ferroportin, which can prevent macrophages in bone marrow from exporting iron to blood cell precursors. High levels of hepcidin play a role in ANEMIA OF CHRONIC DISEASE
Describe the pathogenesis of hemochromatosis
Low hepcidin levels lead to lots of iron being absorbed and released into the circulation. Leads to iron deposits in the lungs, heart, and liver, which is toxic
May cause organ failure
How does iron deficiency affect ferritin levels? Transferrin?
Low ferritin
High transferrin
How does iron overload affect ferritin levels? Transferrin?
High ferritin
Low transferrin
What are indications for iron therapy?
Prevention or treatment of iron deficient anemia
- Increased requirements (premature infants, children, pregnant women)
- Inadequate absorption
- Blood loss (GI, menstrual)
How may iron therapy be administered?
Oral or parenteral (IM, IV)
When is parenteral iron indicated above oral iron?
When oral iron is not tolerated
Post GI resection
Malabsorption syndrome
Adverse Effects of Oral Iron therapy
Nausea
Vomiting
Black stools
What is a common cause of acute iron toxicity? How can acute iron toxicity be fatal?
Overingestion of iron tablets. Could be fatal due to necrotizing gastroenteritis