content Flashcards
5 causes of microcytic anaemia
- thalassaemia
- anaemia of chronic disease
- iron deficiency
- lead poisoning
- sideroblastic anaemia
5 causes of normocytic anaemia
- acute blood loss
- anaemia of chronic disease
- aplastic anaemia
- haemolytic anaemia
- hypothyroidism
2 types of macrocytic anaemia
megaloblastic = result of impaired DNA synthesis preventing normal division normoblastic = no problem with DNA synthesis
2 causes of megaloblastic macrocytic anaemia
- B12 deficiency
2. folate deficiency
5 causes of normoblastic (non-megaloblastic) macrocytic anaemia
- alcohol
- reticulocytosis
- hypothryoidism
- liver disease
- drugs e.g. azathioprine
symptoms of anaemia
- tiredness
- SOB
- headaches
- dizziness
- palpitations
- worsening of other conditions e.g. angina, HF, PVD
symptoms specific to iron deficiency anaemia
- pica => dietary cravings for abnormal things such as dirt
- hair loss
signs of general anaemia
- pale skin
- conjunctival pallor
- tachycardia
- tachypnoea
signs specific to iron deficiency anaemia
- koilonychia (spoon shaped nails)
- angular chelitis/stomatitis
- atrophic glossitis
- brittle hair and nails
sign specific to haemolytic anaemia
jaundice
sign specific to thalassaemia
bone deformities
3 ix in anaemia
- bloods:
- FBC: Hb, MCV
- haematinics: B12, folate, ferritin
- blood film - OGD and colonoscopy under urgent GI cancer referral in unexplained IDA
- bone marrow biopsy
4 ways in which you can become iron deficient
- insufficient dietary intake
- increase requirements e.g. pregnancy
- loss of iron e.g. bleeding
- inadequate absorption e.g. coeliac, crohn’s
where is iron absorbed and what is important for the process
duodenum and jejunum
stomach acid ensures iron in soluble form (Fe2+ rather than Fe3+) therefore meds reducing stomach acid can interfere with iron absorption
formula for transferrin saturation
serum iron / total iron binding capacity (directly related to transferrin levels)
what is transferrin
carrier protein that iron travels around the blood bound to
directly related to total iron binding capacity
level of TIBC in iron deficiency anaemia
increased in IDA
-> low iron levels therefore more room left on ferritin for iron to bind
mx options in iron deficiency anaemia
- blood transfusion
- iron infusion (monofer)
- oral iron (ferrous sulphate 200mg TDS)
aim for rise in haemoglobin when correcting IDA
10g/litre per week
2 causes of b12 deficiency
insufficient intake
pernicious anaemia
pathophysiology of pernicious anaemia
autoimmune condition where antibodies against parietal cells or intrinsic factor prevent absorption of vitamin b12 in the ileum
presentation of b12 deficiency
- peripheral neuropathy
- loss of vibration sense or proprioception
- visual changes
- mood or cognitive changes
mx of pernicious anaemia
IM hydroxycobalamin (can’t use oral replacement due to problem being absorption)
regime for IM hydroxycobalamin tx in pernicious anaemia
1mg 3x weekly for 2 weeks then every 3 months
or if neuro sx: 1mg every other day until improvement in sx
tx of vitamin b12 deficiency due to diet
oral cyanocobalamin
important consideration in joint b12 and folate deficiency
treat b12 deficiency first or risk subacute combined degeneration of the cord
5 causes of inherited haemolytic anaemia
- hereditary spherocytosis
- hereditary elliptocytosis
- thalassaemia
- sickle cell
- g6pd deficiency
5 causes of acquired haemolytic anaemia
- autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
- alloimmune haemolytic anaemia (transfusion reaction or haemolytic disease of the newborn)
- paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
- microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
- prosthetic valve related haemolysis
3 key features of haemolytic anaemia
- anaemia
- splenomegaly
- jaundice
3 ix in haemolytic anaemia
- FBC -> normocytic anaemia
- blood film -> schistocytes
- direct coombs test -> +ve in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
genetics of hereditary spherocytosis
autosomal dominant
presentation of hereditary spherocytosis
- jaundice
- gallstones
- splenomegaly
- aplastic crisis (in presence of parvovirus)
what is haemolytic anaemia
low haemoglobin due to abnormal breakdown of RBC (can be caused by various pathologies)
what is hereditary spherocytosis
most common inherited haemolytic anaemia in northern europe
sphere shaped RBCs which are fragile and break down when passing through spleen
key findings on ix in hereditary spherocytosis
- FHx (AD)
- spherocytes on blood film
- MCHC (mean corpuscular concentration) is raised on FBC
- reticulocytes raised (high turnover of RBC)
tx of hereditary spherocytosis/elliptocytosis
folate supplementation + splenectomy
cholecystectomy may be required if problematic gallstones
what is hereditary elliptocytosis
autosomal dominant inherited condition where the RBCs are ellipse shaped and fragile meaning they break down easily when passing through the spleen
what is G6PD deficiency
defect in the RBC enzyme G6PD - causes haemolytic crises which are triggered by infections, medications or fava beans (broad beans)
presentation of G6PD deficiency
- jaundice (usually in neonatal period)
- gallstones
- anaemia
- splenomegaly
ix in G6PD deficiency
- blood film shows Heinz bodies
- G6PD enzyme assay is diagnostic
medications which can trigger G6PD haemolysis
primaquine (antimalarial)
ciprofloxacin
sulfonylureas
sulfasalazine
what is autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
antibodies created against own RBC leading to destruction of RBC
classification of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
depends on temperature of when the autoantibodies work and cause haemolysis
- cold
- warm (more common)
pathophysiology of cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
at temperatures <10c, autoantibodies attach themselves to RBCs and cause agglutination (clump together) resulting in destruction of RBCs