Anemia Therapeutics Flashcards
What is anemia?
Low RBC or hemoglobin
How to diagnose anemia
Look at lab values and signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of anemia
Exertional dyspnea
Angina
Tachycardia
Fatigue
Pallor
could be asymptomatic
what is Hgb for men
13.5-18
what is Hgb for women
12-16
what is MCV normal
80-100
what is RDW
variation is size of RBCs
What are the 3 main causes of anemia
Decreased RBC production (chronic disease or nutritional deficiencies)
Increased RBC destruction (drugs or sickle cell)
Increased RBC loss (acute blood loss or chronic NSAID/ASA use)
What is microcytic anemia
MCV < 80
iron deficiency, sickle cell
what is normocytic
MCV 80-100
chronic disease, blood loss, hemolysis
what is macrocytic
MCV > 100
folic acid and or b12 deficiency
What are the goals of therapy for anemia
Increase Hgb
Relieve symptoms
Reduce morbidity
Improve QOL
Reduce mortality
not just normalize the labs!
Labs for iron deficiency anemia
dec Hgb
dec MCV
dec ferritin
dec serum iron
dec TSAT
what is the goal ferritin
15-200
what is the goal TSAT
20-50%
what are causes of iron deficiency
-blood loss
-decreased absorption (celiacs or bypass)
-vegetarian diet
-pregnancy
what are additional signs of iron deficient anema
spoon shaped nails
inflamed tongue
pica (ice)
how to treat iron deficiency anemia
Oral iron
address underlying cause
when is oral iron not preferred
cannot tolerate SE
cannot absorb
ESRD
HF