Anemia (Overview) Flashcards
What is the MCV for a microcytic anemia?
<80 fL
Name the top 5 causes of microcytic anemia.
1) Iron deficiency
2) Anemia of chronic disease
3) Thalassemia
4) Sideroblastic Anemia
5) Lead poisoning
What do all microcytic anemias have in common?
they all involve decreased Hgb synthesis (which requires iron, porphyrin ring, and globin)
What does a peripheral smear show of microcytic anemia?
hypochromic and microcytic due to decreased Hgb and increased mitosis
What is the MCV range for normocytic anemia?
80-95 fL
Normocytic anemias can be divided into what 2 groups?
Hemolytic and Non-hemolytic
What lab value will tell you if your normocytic anemia is hemolytic or non-hemolytic?
reticulocytes are high in hemolytic (>3%) but NOT high in non-hemolytic
What are the top 3 non-hemolytic causes of normocytic amemia?
1) Anemia of chronic disease
2) Aplastic anemia
3) Kidney disease
Normocytic anemias due to hemolysis can be divided into what 2 groups?
Intrinsic (problem inside the cell) and Extrinsic (problem outside the cell)
If your patient has jaundice, you can automatically assume he is experiencing intrinsic or extrinsic hemolysis?
Intrinsic (problem is within cell, so it undergoes extravascular hemolysis within the spleen). The spleen breaks Hgb down into its most component parts (including breaking protoporphryin down into unconjugated bilirubin which is a green-yellow pigment!)
Name the 5 major causes of intrinsic hemolytic anemia.
1) Hereditary spherocytosis
2) Enzyme deficiencies (G6PD, Pyruvate Kinase)
3) HbC
4) Sickle cell disease
5) PNH
Name the 5 major causes of extrinsic hemolytic anemia.
1) Autoimmune
2) Macroangioblastic Hemolytic Anemia (heart valve)
3) Microangioblastic Hemolytic Anemia
4) Infectious Disease
5) Blood Transfusion
Name some causes of microangioblastic hemolytic anemia.
TTP and DIC
How do you correct the reticulocyte count for normocytic anemias?
(Hct/45)*Retic= corrected reticulocyte
Hgb * 3= Hct
What is the MCV for a macrocytic anemia?
over 95 fL
