Blood Tests Flashcards
In a full blood count (FBC) what three components are counted and what are each of their roles?
. Red blood cells - Hb transports oxygen 45% of blood
. White blood cells- fight off infections <1% of blood
. Platelets- crucial in blood clotting and wound healing <1% of blood
What does high platelets (thrombocytosis) indicate? (3)
.Infections
.Malignancy (cancerous tumours )
.Iron deficiency
What does low platelets (thrombocytopenia) indicate ? (5)
. Infections
. Medication induced (cytotoxic agents )
. Bone marrow disorders
. Autoimmune disorders
. Bleeding disorders (IIP, TTP) - blood cannot clot
What is the name for high and low haemoglobin levels ?
Low haemoglobin - anemia
High haemoglobin - polycythamia
What are some symptoms of anaemia ? (6)
. Fatigue
. Weakness
. Shortness of breath
. Dizziness
. Palpitations
. Cold extremities (hands and feet )
Iron deficiency anaemia:
1.cause
2.symptoms
3.treatment
Iron deficiency anaemia
1.Cause: lack of iron in diet, blood loss, poor iron absorption
2.Symptoms: fatigue, weakness, pale skin
3.Treatments: iron supplements, dietary changes
Pernicious anaemia:
- Cause:
- Symptoms:
- Treatment:
- Cause: Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Symptoms: Fatigue, shortness of breath, numbness
- Treatments: Vitamin B12 injections or supplements
Sickle cell anaemia:
- Cause:
- Symptoms:
- Treatment
- Cause: Genetic mutation causing abnormal haemoglobin
- Symptoms: Pain, infections
- Treatments: blood transfusions
Thalassemia;
- Cause:
- Symptoms:
- Treatment:
- Cause: Genetic mutations affecting hemoglobin production
- Symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, bone deformities
- Treatment: Blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy
Anaemia of chronic disease:
1.cause :
2.symptoms:
3.treatment:
- Cause: Chronic kidney disease, malignancy, Autoimmune disease
- Symptoms: Fatigue, Weakness, Dizziness,
- Treatments: Treat underlying cause, Iron supplements, EPO, blood transfusions
What does MVC stand for and what does it mean, state its normal range
MVC- mean corpuscular volume, measured in full blood count of red blood cells
. MVC means : Mean cell volume/ average size of red cells present in the blood
Normal range: 80-100 fL
What are the main two categories of normocytic anaemia (MVC 80-100 fL)
. Haemolytic (intrinsic and extrinsic )
. Non- haemolytic
What are the causes of microcytic anemia (MCV < 80 fL)?
• Iron deficiency
• Anemia of chronic disease
• Thalassemias
• Sideroblastic anaemia (bone marrow produces ringed sideroblasts rather than healthy RBCs)
• Lead poisoning
What are the main categories of normocytic anemia (MCV 80-100 fL)?
Normocytic anemia can be classified into:
• Hemolytic (Intrinsic and Extrinsic)
• Non-Hemolytic
What are the intrinsic causes of hemolytic normocytic anemia?
• Hereditary spherocytosis
• Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
• G6PD deficiency
• Pyruvate kinase deficiency
• Sickle cell anemia
• HbC disease
What are the extrinsic causes of hemolytic normocytic anemia?
• Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
• Macroangiopathic hemolytic anemia
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
What are the non-hemolytic causes of normocytic anemia?
• Iron deficiency
• Anemia of chronic disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Aplastic anemia
What are the causes of macrocytic anemia (MCV > 100 fL)?
Macrocytic anemia can be classified into:
• Megaloblastic
• Non-Megaloblastic
What are the causes of megaloblastic macrocytic anemia?
• Folate (vitamin B9) deficiency
• Cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency
• Copper deficiency
• Orotic aciduria
• Drug-induced (e.g., allopurinol)
What are the causes of non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia?
• Alcohol-use disorder
• Liver disease
• Diamond-Blackfan anemia
What conditions should iron studies be carried out for ? (4)
. Anaemia
. Pregnancy
. Haemochromatosis (iron overload)
. Chronic kidney disease
What is the purpose of blood plasma and what does it contain ?
Contains: proteins , glucose, electrolytes, hormones, carbon dioxide
- carries antibodies and immunoglobulins which fight infections
- regulates body temperature
What do high and low levels of urea indicate
High urea: increased dehydration, renal failure or high protein intake
Low urea: liver failure or malnutrition
What do elevated levels of creatinine indicate
Elevated in kidney dysfunction, indicating reduced glomerular filtration rate ( GFR)
What do high and low levels of sodium Na+ indicate
High- dehydration or hyperaldosteronism
Low- renal disease, heart failure
What do high and low levels of potassium K+ indicate
.Elevated- kidney failure, acidosis , medication effects
. Low- alkalosis, low diuretic use
What can alter cl- concentration
- altered acid-based disturbances
- low levels in vomiting or diuretic use
What do high and low levels of bicarbonate HCO3- indicate ?
- high in metabolic alkalosis
-low in metabolic acidosis, inducing renal failure or diabetic ketoacidosis
What do altered levels in calcium ca2+ suggest
High levels- hyperparathyrodism or bone disease
Low levels- vitamin D deficiency or renal disease
What is hyperaldosteronism
a disease in which the adrenal gland(s) make too much aldosterone which leads to hypertension (high blood pressure) and low blood potassium levels
What is the role of the liver and why are liver tests important+ what do they measure ?
Liver : removes waste products and toxins, produces bile, makes clotting factors. Liver function tests help assess the health of the liver by measuring the levels of various enzymes, proteins, and substances produced or processed by the liver
Test : Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
What do elevated levels indicate?
Elevated levels indicate liver cell damage, such as from hepatitis or liver toxicity.
Test: Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
What do elevated levels indicate?
Elevated levels can indicate liver damage, but also found in heart and muscle cells.
Test: Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
What do elevated levels indicate ?
Elevated levels can indicate bile duct obstruction, liver disease, or bone disorders
Test: Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
What do elevated levels indicate ?
Elevated levels can indicate bile duct problems or alcohol use.
Test: Bilirubin
What a do elevated levels indicate?
Elevated levels can indicate liver dysfunction or hemolysis.
Test: Albumin
What do low levels indicate ?
Low levels can indicate chronic liver disease, malnutrition, or kidney disease.
What is hepatitis and how is it caused ?
Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, often caused by viral infections (hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E), alcohol, or autoimmune diseases
What is cirrhosis and how is it caused?
Cirrhosis: Chronic liver damage leading to scarring and liver failure, often due to long-term alcohol abuse, hepatitis, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
What is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and what conditions cause it?
Accumulation of fat in the liver not caused by alcohol, often associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome
What is cholestasis and how is it caused?
Reduced or blocked bile flow, which can be due to bile duct obstruction (e.g., gallstones) or liver diseases
What is haemochromatosis and how is it caused?
Hemochromatosis: Genetic disorder causing excessive iron accumulation in the liver, leading to liver damage
What is Wilson’s disease and how is it caused?
Wilson’s Disease: Genetic disorder causing copper accumulation in the liver and other organs
What is autoimmune hepatitis and how is it caused?
Autoimmune Hepatitis: Immune system attacks liver cells, causing inflammation and damage
What can cause drug-induced liver injuries and what are the symptoms?
Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Liver damage caused by medications, herbal supplements, or toxins
•These conditions can present with various symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain
When to refer patients with abnormal LFTs ( liver function tests ) (5)
. Persistent abnormal LFTs > 3 months
. Significant elevation in ALT, AST, ALP or bilirubin
.clinical symptoms such as jaundice, unexplained weight loss or signs of chronic liver disease
.suspected liver disease based on physical examination or clinical history
. Combination of abnormal results ALT & ALP
What is hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and what are each of their associated symptoms?
Hypothyroidism: less thyroid activity. Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, depression, bradycardia.
Hyperthyroidism: increased thyroid activity. Weight loss, heat intolerance, palpitations, anxiety, tremors, sweating, increased appetite, tachycardia.
What is the gold standard test for diabetes and describe what this test measures
HbA1C : tests the average blood sugar in 2-3 months as it measures the sugar bound to the RBC which turns over 120 days
Test: Troponin
What is this test used for?
Used to diagnose heart attacks and other heart-related conditions.
Test : BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide)
What is this test used for
Helps diagnose and monitor heart failure
Test: D-dimmer
What is this test used for ?
Used to rule out blood clotting disorders such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)
Test : CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
What is this test used for?
Indicates inflammation in the body, used to diagnose conditions like infections and inflammatory diseases
Test: ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)
What is this test used for?
Measures inflammation, used in diagnosing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
Test: TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
What is this test used for?
Assesses thyroid function, used to diagnose hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
Test: vitamin D
What is this test used for?
Evaluates vitamin D levels, important for bone health and immune function
Test: vitamin B12?
What is this test used for?
Evaluate deficiency which can cause tiredness, memory problems, mood changes, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
Test: folate
What is this test used for?
Can be used for patients presenting with tiredness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, mouth ulcers
Test: tumour markers
What is this test used for?
Can be used for specific cancers, pancreatic cancer (Ca19-9), Ovarian cancer (Ca 125), Colon cancer (CEA) etc…
