Approach to the Adult Patient with Anemia Flashcards
What is erythropoiesis?
The production of RBC
What does EPO bind to?
Marrow erythroid precursors (proerythroblasts)
What does EPO due?
Induces RBC maturation
What vitamins assist in RBC proliferation?
Folate and B12
What would we expect to see in a folate and/or B12 deficiency?
Large RBCs
What vitamin assists in the accumulation of hemoglobin?
Iron
What would be expect to see in an iron deficiency?
Small RBC
What does a reticulocyte look like?
Larger than mature RBC
Not biconcave
Bluer
Has RNA
What conditions do you need for erythropoiesis?
EPO
Normal marrow function
Hgb accumulation
What is anemia?
A reduction in one or more of the major red blood cell measurements (Hgb, Hct, or RBC)
What is the Kinetic approach to anemia?
Address the mechanism responsible for the fall in Hgb concentration
What is the Morphologic approach to anemia?
Categorize the anemia based on RBC characteristics and the reticulocyte response
What can cause anemia (3 broad categories)?
Decreased RBC production
Increased RBC destruction
Blood loss
How much RBCs are replaced in a day under steady state conditions?
1% of red cell mass
What can cause decreased RBC production (5)?
- Lack of nutrients
- Bone marrow disorders
- Bone marrow suppresion
- Low levels of trophic hormones (EPO, thyroid, androgens)
- Acute/chronic inflammation
What can cause RBC destruction (3)?
- Inherited hemolytic anemias
- Acquired hemolytic anemias
- Hypersplenism
What is the most common cause of anemia?
Blood loss
What can cause blood loss (4)?
- Gross blood loss
- Occult blood loss
- Iatrogenic blood loss
- Underappreciated menstrual blood loss
How does iron deficiency worsen anemia?
When RBCs are lost due to persistent bleeding the iron is lost with it instead of being reused after RBC destruction. Then you have worsened anemia because you inhibit RBC synthesis.
What is the reticulocyte count for a hemorrhage?
High