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