Anemia (pt 1/3) Iron, B12, Folic Acid, IL Flashcards
What is Hematopoiesis?
Process by which RBCs are made
-happens in the bone marrow
_____+ _____ = Hematopoietic Cell
Essential Nutrients + Growth Factors = Hematopoietic cells
What are the Essential Nutrients?
Iron
Vitamin B12
Folic Acid
What is a Hematopoietic Cell?
Immature cell that can develop into all types of blood cells
What is the most common cause of anemia?
Iron Deficiency
How do we get iron?
-Iron is recycled from damaged RBCs (don’t need a large intake usually)
-Only a small amount of iron is lost each day therefore dietary requirements are low
Iron requirements increase in what situations?
-Growing children
-Pregnant women
-Menstruating women
What is Hepcidin?
A peptide produced primarily by the liver.
-Regulates the absorption, transport and storage of iron.
How does low iron cause anemia?
-Iron forms the nucleus of the iron-porphyrin heme ring → hemoglobin
-↓iron = small RBCs with insufficient hemoglobin
-Microcytic (small) Hypochromic (less red) Anemia
What are S/Sx of Iron Deficiency?
-Fatigue, weakness
-pale/yellowish skin
-Dizziness/lightheadedness
-Irregular heartbeat
-Shortness of Breath
-Cold hands/feet
-Chest pain
-HA
What kind of anemia does low Iron cause?
Microcytic, Hypochromic
What are the laboratory abnormalities associated with Iron-deficiency anemia?
-Low serum Fe (<30 mcg/dl), increased transferrin iron-binding capacity
-% Transferrin saturation of <10%
-Low serum ferritin levels (stored iron) <20 mcg/L
What type of anemia occurs with Folic Acid Deficiency?
-Macrocytic Normochromic Anemia
What are the laboratory abnormalities associated with Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia?
Low Serum Folic Acid level
-< 4 ng/mL
What type of anemia occurs with Vitamin B12 deficiency?
-Macrocytic Normochromic Anemia
What are the laboratory abnormalities associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?
-Low Serum Cobalamin
-Increased Serum Homocysteine
-Increased Serum Methylmalonic Acid
-Increased Urine Methylmalonic Acid
What is Serum Homocysteine?
-Can be used to establish a diagnosis of Vit B12 deficiency.
-Methylcobalamin is required for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine.
-B12 deficiency decreases the formation of methylcobalamin, thereby increasing homocysteine levels (because it’s not being used to convert).
What is the stored form of Iron?
Ferritin
How is iron transported into the blood?
By Ferroportin (Fp)
How is iron actively transported in the blood?
By Transferrin (Tf)
In the blood, what are the two locations iron is transported to?
1) Erythroid precursors in the bone marrow for synthesis of hemoglobin
2) Hepatocytes for storage as Ferritin
How is iron reclaimed after it is used?
Macrophages that phagocytize senescent (old) erythrocytes (RBC) reclaim the iron (in the spleen or other tissues, macrophages) from the RBC hemoglobin and either export it or store it as ferritin.
What offers negative feedback by inhibiting ferroportin (the active transporter than pulls iron into the blood)?
High hepatic iron stores increase hepcidin synthesis, and hepcidin inhibits ferroportin (the active transporter)
What conditions require additional iron therapy?
-Infants especially premature infants
-Children during rapid growth periods
-Pregnant and lactating women
-Chronic Kidney Disease (2/2 RBC loss during hemodialysis)
-Inadequate absorption: Malabsorption post-gastrectomy for pts with severe small bowel disease; Normal process of iron function occurs in intestinal epithelial cells.
-Blood loss (Most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in adults):
Menstruating women lose 30 mg of iron with each menstrual period. Those with heavy bleeding can lose much more.
In men/post-menopausal women, the most common site of bleeding is the GI tract.
Describe the facts regarding the Ferrous Salts (Sulfate/Gluconate/Fumarate)?
-Oral or IV iron preparations
-PO corrects anemia just as rapidly and completely as parenteral IF iron absorption from the GI tract is normal (malabsorption issues = use IV form)
-Continue for 3-6 months so we don’t rapidly go back to anemia (replenishes iron stores)
-For patients on dialysis, IV therapy is preferred
What are the adverse effects associated with the Ferrous Salts (Sulfate/Gluconate/Fumarate)?
Dose related:
-Lower the dose
-Take with/after meals
-Change preparations
Nausea, epigastric discomfort, ABD cramps, constipation, diarrhea
Black stools:
-Not clinically significant
-May obscure GI bleed
What is Parenteral Iron Therapy (Iron Dextran) reserved for?
Reserved for patients with documented iron deficiency who are unable to tolerate or absorb oral iron.
-Pts with extensive chronic anemia who cannot be maintained with oral iron alone
-Advanced chronic kidney disease on requiring hemodialysis
-Post-gastrectomy patients
-Inflammatory bowel disease of the small bowel
-Malabsorption Syndromes
Why is the IV route preferred over IM for iron therapy?
IV is preferred – eliminates pain, tissue staining and allows full dose administration (absorb 100% of the dose).
IM is painful, stains tissue, and has limits in dosing.
What are the adverse effects associated with Parenteral Iron therapy?
HA
dizziness
fever
arthralgias
nausea, vomiting
back pain
flushing
urticaria
bronchospasm
anaphylaxis
death
What are two formulations in clinical use for Parenteral Iron therapy?
Low Molecular Weight Form
-INFed
High Molecular Weight Form
-Dexferrum
Inorganic free ferric iron has serious ______ _____________ toxicity.
Inorganic free ferric iron has serious dose dependent toxicity.
What are the special formulations of parenteral iron therapy?
-Colloid containing particles
-Iron Dextran: Risk of hypersensitivity reaction
-Sodium Ferric Gluconate Complex
-Iron-sucrose Complex