Anemias (Self-made) Flashcards
Define polycythemia.
Increase in the total number of RBCs, amount of Hgb, and RBC mass in circulation.
Define poikilocytosis.
Increase in reticulocytes in the peripheral bloodstream due to premature release.
What are the 4 components of whole blood?
- Plasma
- RBCs
- WBCs
- Platelets
What primarily composes plasma?
- Water
- Salt
Where is the primary origin of RBCs? Extramedullary sites?
Primary: Bone marrow
Extramedullary: liver and spleen
What is the primary stimulatory hormone for RBC production and where is it primarily made?
EPO/erythropoietin, made in the kidneys.
What is the average lifespan of a RBC?
120 days/4 months.
What is the primary stimulatory hormone for platelet production and where is it primarily released from?
Thrombopoietin, released by the liver and kidney.
What is the average lifespan of a platelet?
7-10 days.
What is responsible for the difference in normal RBC ranges between sexes?
Production of testosterone. Males have a higher average range.
What natural factors might increase hemoglobin concentration? Decrease?
Increase: Smoking, high altitudes, males, young infants.
Decrease: Female and pregnancy.
How can Hct be calculated from Hgb?
Hct = Hgb x 3
Define anisocytosis.
Increased RDW with reticulocytosis.
What does increased MPV suggest?
New platelets are being formed, since new platelets are larger.
What minerals/vitamins are essential to normal RBC production? Why?
B12/Folate: Proliferation and maturation.
Iron: Accumulation of Hgb.
What findings concerning a RBC would suggest it is a reticulocyte?
- Presence of RNA
- Bluish or lack of biconcavity
- Larger size
What general conditions can decrease erythropoiesis?
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Bone marrow disorders/suppression
- Low levels of trophic hormones
- Acute/chronic inflammation
What two conditions can result in increased RBC destruction/clearance?
- Hemolytic anemias
- Hypersplenism
What is the most common cause of anemia?
Blood loss.
What common social history factor can induce anemia? What anemia does it primarily result in?
Alcohol abuse, which leads to folate deficiency anemia.
What conditions most commonly result in microcytic anemias? What is the primary pathophysiology behind microcytic anemias?
Sickle Cell Disease
Alpha/Beta Thalassemia minor
Sideroblastic anemia
Most commonly due to decreased Hgb content within the RBC.
If a normocytic anemia is present, what is the most probable next step following a CBC?
Peripheral smear to observe the actual morphology.
What conditions most commonly result in normocytic anemias?
- CKD
- Anemia of chronic disease/inflammation
- Mild iatrogenic anemias
- Acute blood loss
What conditions most commonly result in macrocytic anemias?
- Alcohol abuse
- Folate/B12 deficiency
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- AML
- Reticulocytosis induction
- Drug-induced anemia
- Liver disease
What is the underlying cause for the symptoms of anemia?
Impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.
How does the body compensate for anemia?
- Increasing O2 extraction
- Increasing SV and HR
What clinical findings strongly point to anemia?
- Fatigue
- Tachycardia at rest
- Bounding pulses
- Pallor
What physical exam findings might suggest anemia?
- Pallor
- Jaundice
- Petechiae
- Bruising
- Pale conjunctiva
- Scleral icterus
- HSM
- Bony tenderness along the sternum or anterior tibia
If a patient presents with a microcytic anemia, what is the next step in evaluating them?
Iron studies. (Fe, TIBC, ferritin)
If a patient presents with a microcytic anemia with no dysplasia or drug use, what is the next step in evaluating them?
- Serum B12/Folate levels.
- MMA/Homocysteine (Potentially)
A patient presents with a macrocytic anemia and is a known vegetarian that takes no supplements. What secondary labs should we order and what findings would we probably expect?
- Low serum B12
- Elevated MMA and homocysteine.
A patient presents with a macrocytic anemia and is known to not eat their veggies. What secondary lab should we order and what findings would we probably expect?
- Low folate
- Elevated homocysteine
- Normal MMA.
A patient presents with a microcytic anemia and additional iron studies were ordered. They have a low serum Fe, high TIBC, and a low ferritin. What is the most likely cause for their anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia.
A patient presents with a microcytic anemia and additional iron studies were ordered. They have a low serum Fe, normal TIBC, and a normal ferritin. What is the most likely cause for their anemia?
Anemia of chronic disease/inflammation.
A patient presents with a microcytic anemia and additional iron studies were ordered. They have an elevated serum Fe, normal TIBC, and elevated ferritin. What additional lab should we consider ordering?
Peripheral smear. (Checking for sideroblasts, teardrop cells, or target cells)
A patient presents with a microcytic anemia and additional iron studies were ordered, along with a peripheral smear. The findings are as follows: elevated serum Fe, normal TIBC, elevated ferritin, teardrop red cells, and target cells. The patient’s family history is also positive for an inherited RBC disorder. What is the most likely cause for the anemia? What lab study could we order to confirm it?
Alpha/beta thalassemia, which would require a hemoglobin electrophoresis test.
A patient presents with a macrocytic anemia. What additional lab study should be ordered to help determine the underlying etiology?
Peripheral smear.
What condition MUST be considered when it comes to CBC interpretation?
Patient volume status, which can affect Hgb, Hct, and RBC counts. (All concentration measurements)
In an anemic patient, what is the preferred method for evaluating reticulocyte count?
Reticulocyte index (RI), which will adjust for altered hematocrit.
A patient presents with a normocytic anemia and increased relic count. What is the most likely underlying etiology and what labs should be ordered to further evaluate them?
- Indicative of hemolysis.
- Order Serum LDH, Indirect bilirubin, and serum haptoglobin.
- Consider direct antiglobulin test.
What blood test is the most reliable indicator of total-body iron status?
Ferritin
A patient presents with macrocytic anemia. What lab tests should be order to further evaluate them?
- Retic Count
- B12
- Folate
What are the 3 underlying etiologies that result in megaloblastic anemias?
- Folate deficiency
- B12 deficiency
- DNA synthesis inhibitor use
What hallmark finding on peripheral smear suggests intravascular hemolytic anemia?
Schistocyte formation.
What hallmark finding on peripheral smear suggests extravascular hemolytic anemia?
Spherocyte formation.
What clinical finding can often differentiate extravascular hemolytic anemia from intravascular?
Hematuria is mainly only present in intravascular hemolytic anemia.