Biochemical Tests 2: Macrocytic Anaemia Flashcards
What is the main feature of macrocytic anaemia? (1)
High MCV.
What does a raised MCV + reduced Hb suggest? (2)
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
Explain the effect of macrocytic anaemia. (1)
Affects all cells of the body and due to B12 malabsorption results to strophic gastritis and lack of intrinsic factor secretion.
What are the common s/s of macrocytic anaemia? (6)
Fatigue
Weakness
Dyspnoea
Sore red tongue
Diarrhoea
Mild Jaundice
Explain the management process of folate deficiency.
Oral folic acid 5mg OD.
Explain the management process of B12 deficiency. (2)
Replenish stores with hydroxocobalamin (B12):
- 1mg IM alternate days for 2 weeks.
- Maintenance 1mg IM every 3 months for life.
Which patients would you see macrocytic anaemia? (1)
Excessive alcohol intake.
How would the blood results look like for patients with high alcohol intake? (3)
Hb + RBC = Normal
MCV = Raised
What factors can cause an increase in Hb levels? (1)
Increased RBC production
What factors can cause an increase in RBC levels? (2)
Fluid Depletion e.g. diarrhoea, burns, dehydration
Polycythaemia
What factors can cause an increase in PCV levels? (2)
Polycythaemia
Dehydration
What factors can cause an increase in MCV levels? (5)
Macrocytic Anaemia
Folate + B12 deficiency
Liver Disease
Alcohol
What factors can cause an increase in MCH levels? (1)
Determined by MCV.
What factors can cause a decrease in Hb levels? (3)
Haemorrhage
Iron Deficiency
Marrow Depression
What factors can cause a decrease in RBC levels? (4)
Fluid Overload
Macrocytic Anaemia
Marrow Aplasia
Haemolytic Anaemia
What factors can cause a decrease in PCV levels? (4)
Bleeding
Kidney Disease
Liver Cirrhosis
Bone Marrow Disorders
What factors can cause a decrease in MCV levels? (2)
Microcytic Anaemia
Iron deficiency
What factors can cause a decrease in MCH levels? (1)
Determined by MCV.
Define Aplastic Anaemia. (1)
Bone marrow aplasia A.K.A. Pancytopenia
Define haemolytic anaemia. (1)
Accelerated RBC destruction.
What factors can cause acute haemorrhage which can lead to anaemia? (3)
Trauma
GI bleed
Surgery
What chronic conditions can cause anaemia? (3)
Carcinoma
RA
Renal Failure
What is the main function of neutrophils? (1)
Ingests and kills bacteria, fungi and damaged cells.
What factor can cause an increase in neutrophils? (1)
A.K.A. Neutrophilia
Bacterial infections
What factor can cause a decrease in neutrophils? (2)
A.K.A. Neutropenia
Viral infections
Acute leukaemia
W. Is CRP? (3)
C-reactive protein:
Protein made in the acute phase response.
Made in the liver
Rises within 6 hrs of an acute event.
What is the main function of platelets? (2)
Causes mechanical plugging of haemorrhage and initiates coagulation.
What factors causes a rise in platelets? (3)
Thrombocytosis:
- Malignancy
- Autoimmune Disease
- Inflammation
What factors causes a fall in platelets? (2)
Thrombocytopenia:
- Drugs
- Leukaemia
What is ESR? (2)
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate:
- Measures acute phase response.
- Used for monitoring chronic inflammatory diseases.
Explain what Hb, RCC, HCT, MCV and MCH all indicate. (2)
Used to determine if the patient has anaemia.
There are 2 types:
Macrocytic (large RBC) /Microcytic (small RBC) Anaemia.
Explain what platelets indicate. (1)
Involved with clotting.
Explain what WCC, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils all indicate. (2)
WBC count is important in monitoring drugs which cause bone marrow suppression.
Also important in patients suffering from an infection.
Explain what ESR indicates. (1)
Non-specific marker of inflammation.
