Endocrine Flashcards

1
Q

Why might diabetic patients gradually start presenting in hypo/DKA more commonly as they get older?

A

Loss of awareness of symptoms due to autonomic neuropathy

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2
Q

Teenager with DKA patient is treated and develops irritability, drowsiness, blurred vision and focal neurological symptoms - what are you worried about?
Next steps?

A

Cerebral oedema
Risk esp in young patients until about 25

Request CT head immediately

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3
Q

High calcium, low phosphate but normal PTH?

A

Still primary hyperparathyroidism probably from adenoma because PTH is inappropriately normal

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4
Q

Driving and insulin-dependent diabetes?

Driving and on tablets/exenatide

A

All patients treated with insulin must inform DVLA (applies to both T1 and T2)

Can drive if:

  • No more than 1 hypo in past 12 months requiring assistance of other person
  • Adequate hypoglycaemic awareness
  • Regular BM monitoring shows good glycemic control
  • Shows understanding of risk of hypo

No need to inform DVLA if on tablets/exenatide
If hypo induced (e.g. gliclazide) then must have been no more than 1 hypo in past year

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5
Q

Diagnosis of acromegaly?

A

Measure serum IGF-1 levels

If raised, then to OGTT:
- If GH doesn’t lower to <2mu/L after glucose then acromegaly confirmed

pituitary MRI may demonstrate tumour

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6
Q

Management of acromegaly?

A

Trans-sphenoidal surgery 1st line in majority

If inoperable/surgery ineffective then:

  1. Somatostatin analogue (Octreotide) - inhibits release
  2. GH receptor antagonist (Pegvisomant) - doesn’t reduce mass effect
  3. Dopamine agonist (Bromocriptine)
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7
Q

Features of acromegaly on:

  • limbs?
  • face?
  • skin?
  • mass effect?
  • 1/3 also have?
  • 6% related to?
A
  • spade-like hands, rings no longer fit, increase shoe size (gigantism if epiphyseal fusion not occurred)
  • Macrognathia, macroglossia, interdental spacing, coarse facial appearance
  • excessive sweating and oily skin (acne) due to gland hypertrophy
  • hypopituitarism, headache, bitemporal hemianopia
  • Raised prolactin - galactorrhoea
  • MEN1
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8
Q

4 complications of acromegaly?

A

Hypertension
Diabetes
Cardiomyopathy
Colorectal cancer

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9
Q

Rule of thumb for imaging in endocrine?

A

MRI for pituitary, CT for others

These are structural tests - if there is a structural abnormality (atrophy/adenoma) a nuclear medicine test may be required

Nuclear medicine test is giving radio-labelled precursors to see how they are taken up

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10
Q

How to test for tremor in hyperthyroidism?
Exercise tolerance?
Menstrual patterns?

A

Put a bit of paper on back of hands

Reduced - due to tachycardia/AF

Scanty periods/amenorrhiea

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11
Q

99.8% of thyroid hormone is bound to what?

What does this mean in terms of practice?

A

Thyroid binding globulin
Transthyretin
Albumin

It is best to measure free hormone levels rather than total - uninfluenced by factors like oestrogen and enzyme inducers

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12
Q

Primary vs secondary hyperthyroidism?

A

Primary - TSH low and T3/T4 high

Secondary - problem outwith thyroid - TSH inappropriately normal/high with High T3/T4

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13
Q

Causes of hyperthyroidism, primary and secondary?

Why does thyroiditis cause hyperthyroidism?

A
Primary:
Toxic multinodular goitre
Grave's disease
Solitary toxic adenoma
Subacute/silent thyroiditis

Secondary:
TSH- secreting tumour
Factitious administration of T3/T4
Ectopic thyroid tumour (struma ovarii)

Pre-formed hormone is stored in gland in vesicles, with inflammation these are all released causing transient hyperthyroidism

Causes: viral, hashimoto’s, post-partum

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14
Q

Ig in Grave’s?

3 signs of Grave’s?

A

Trabs antibodies (thyroid receptor antibodies)

Eye disease, pretibial myxoedema, acropachy (type of clubbing - much rarer)

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15
Q

Cause of thyroid eye disease?
Does it happen at the same time as thyrotoxicosis?
Rx for thyroid eye disease?

A

Antbodies binding to extra-ocular muscles causing swelling

Can happen at different time - either before or years after thyrotoxicosis

Selenium can help
Oral steroids, followed by IV steroids if severe
Rarely, may need radiotherapy or in emergency surgery to crack open orbit and relieve swelling

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16
Q

Basic diagnostic investigation ladder for hyperthyroidism?

A
  1. TSH, fT4, fT3, TRAbs
  2. Ultrasound
  3. Nuclear medicine (technetium) uptake scan
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17
Q

2 rare SE of carbimazole?
How is it teratogenic?
PTU rare SE?
How to titrate treatment?

A

Agranulocytosis, cholestasis jaundice

Aplasia cutis (blad patch on head) and midline problems

Autoimmune hepatits

Titrate every 6 weeks until euthyroid.
Grave’s has 50% chance of cure in 18 months, other causes - control symptoms but not cure

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18
Q

2 specific risks of thyroidectomy?

A

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury

Parathyroid damage - hypocalcaemia
often temporary ‘stunning’ of gland but sometimes permanent

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19
Q

Radioactive iodine: how long after before trying to conceive?

A

6 months

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20
Q

Thyroid storm

A

Symptomatic:
Lots of IV fluids (very dehydrated from diarrhoea/sweating)
Propanolol
PTU
Hydrocortisone (in case of addison’s as can be concomitant)

Stop thyroid:
Give lots of iodine - stuns thyroid briefly for about 10 days (to get thyroidectomy)
Lithium can be used - stops conversion of T4 to T3 in periphery

Supportive:
Electrolytes
Paracetamol (temp)
Phenobarbital/Dantrolene (helps reduce shaking/seizure)
Furosemide/ACEI if HF from arrhythmia

Selected:
Mechanical ventilation
Cooled mastresses

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21
Q

why do you get low Na and high MCV in hypothyroidism?

A

Need thyroxine to excrete water from kidneys, so retain fluid causing haemodilution

(can also get pedal oedema for this reason)

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22
Q

If someone has addison’s and has an infection what should they do with their meds?

A

Double hydrocortisone dose
(since no endogenous cortisol production so may not be able to mount a stress response)

Same Fludrocortisone dose

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23
Q

Why does splenectomy give falsely high HbA1c?

What else overestimates HbA1c?

A

Due to increased lifespan of RBC’s

Over-estimates:

  • Iron deficiency anaemia
  • B12/folate deficiency

Under-estimates:

  • Sickle cell
  • Spherocytosis
  • G6PD deficiency
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24
Q

Dosing of hydrocortisone for addison’s?

A

Usually around 30mg a day - 20mg at 8am and 10mg at 5pm

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25
Q

Treatment of thyroid storm?

A
PTU
Propanolol
Dexamethasone (blocks peripheral conversion of T4 -> T3)
Paracetamol
Lots of fluids

Treat underlying cause

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26
Q

Management of myxoedema coma?

A
IV thyroxine
IV fluid
IV corticosteroids (until addison's ruled out)
correct electrolytes
Rewarming may be needed
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27
Q

Causes of addisonian crisis?

Management of addisonian crisis?

A
  • Sepsis or surgery, causing acute exacerbation of chronic insufficiency (addison’s or hypopituitarism)
  • Adrenal haemorrhage (Waterhouse friedrichson syndrome from mengicoccaemia)
  • Steroid withdrawal
  • 100mg hydrocortisone IM/IV
  • 1L normal saline over 30-60 mins, with dextrose if hypoglycaemic
  • Continue hydrocortisone 6 hourly
  • Oral replacement after 23 hours, to be reduced to maintenance over 3-4 days

(no fludrocortisone needed as high dose hydrocortisone exerts weak mineralocorticoid effect)

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28
Q

Management of diabetic gastroparesis?

A
Options:
- metoclopramide
- domperidone
- erythromycin
(pro kinetic agents)
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29
Q

Why is goserilin given in prostate cancer?

How does it cause gynaecomastia?

A

Normally GnRH is released in a pulsatile manner to cause sperm production. When given high dose and long term, the endogenous feedback loops are lost, causing hypoandrogenism. This causes gynaecomastia

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30
Q

Why can antiemetics metoclopramide and domperidone cause galactorrhea?

A

Dopamine antagonists

Therefore can cause increased Prolactin

Haloperidol can also

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31
Q

How many units in 1ml insulin?

A

100

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32
Q

What drugs interfere with thyroxine absorption?

A

Iron and calcium tablets

Take at least 4 hours apart

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33
Q

Why to acromegaly patients get an echo?

A

Cardiomyopathy

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34
Q

Progression of de quervain’s thyroiditis?
Ix if unsure of diagnosis?
Rx?

A

1: hyperthyroid, tender goitre, raised ESR (3-6 weeks0
2: euthyroid (1-3 weeks)
3: hypothyroid (weeks-months)
4: normal

Scintigraphy: reduced uptake globally

Rx: usually none required - steroids if really bad

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35
Q

3 dangerous but rare side effects of SGLT2 inhibitors?

A

urinary/genital infection -> Fourniere’s gangrene

Normoglycaemic ketoacidosis

Increased risk of lower limb amputation - special attention to feet

36
Q

Glucose targets for T1DM before meals?

A

5-7 on waking before breakfast

4-7 other meals

37
Q

Main cause of hyperaldosteronism?

A

BAH

Can present even later in life in 50’s etc
Causes 70% cases

38
Q

In DKA how is insulin administered?

A

0.1 units/kg/hour
Add in infusion of 5% dextrose once glucose <15mmol/L
Continue any long-acting insulin in regimen, but stop short-acting for the time being
K+ will need replaced as well - DO NOT exceed 20mmol/hr

39
Q

Which 3 hormones are reduced in stress response e.g. after major surgery?
Which 3 stay the same?

A

Decrease:
insulin
Testosterone
Oestrogen

Same:
TSH
LH/FSH

The rest all go up (cortisol, ACTH, renin, aldosterone, PRL, ADH, glucagon)

40
Q

Thyroid monitoring:

  • After thyroidectomy for medullary cancer?
  • After thyroidectomy for papillary cancer?
  • For goitre and diagnosis if hashimoto’s?
  • goitre and diagnosis of graves?
A

Serum calcitonin

Thyroglobulin antibodies
(thyroglobulin is major constituent of colloid and precursor of hormones) - not clinically useful in distinguishing between different types of thyroid disease but used for cancer follow up

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies
(found in 100% hashimoto’s and 70% grave’s)

TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb)

41
Q

Management of acute asthma exacerbation?

A

Salbutamol 1 puff every min for 10 puffs
If not improved repeat and sent to hospital

Oxygen
Salbutamol + ipratropium nebs
Prednisolone
(consider adding MgSO4 to neb if <92% sats)

IV salbutamol
Aminophylline if unresponsive and life-threatening
IV MgSO4 and phone anaesthetist

42
Q

Asthma management in <5 y/o?

A
  1. SABA
  2. SABA + 8-week trial moderate dose ICS

Stop ICS - if recurs within 4 weeks then continue low-dose
- if recurs past 8 weeks then retry 8 week trial

  1. SABA + low-dose ICS + LTRA
  2. Stop LTRA and refer to specialist
43
Q

Asthma management in 5+ y/o?

A
  1. SABA
  2. SABA + low-dose ICS
  3. SABA + low-dose ICS + LTRA
  4. SABA + low-dose ICS + LABA
  5. SABA + MART (dual LABA/ICS)
  6. SABA + moderate dose MART
    OR
    SABA + mod-dose ICS + LABA
  7. SABA + high dose (ICS+LABA)/MART OR mod + theophylline
    AND refer
44
Q

APGAR?

A

Appearance

Pulse - 2 >100; 1 <100; 0 absent

Grimace - 2 cries on stimulation; 1 grimace; 0 none

Activity - 2 active movement; 1 limb flexion; 0 flaccid

Resp - 2 strong cry; 1 weak/irregular resp; 0 absent

7+ = normal
4-6 = moderately low
3- = critically low

Done at 1 and 5 mins after birth

Doesn’t predict long-term outcomes

45
Q

Centor criteria?

A
  • fever
  • no cough
  • tender cervical lymph
  • exudate

3/4 for abx (pen v/clarith)

46
Q

Scarlet fever school exclusion?

A

Until rash disappears

47
Q

Characteristics of innocent murmur?

A

asymptomatic, no radiation/thrill, made worse with fever, change with respiration/position (increase when lying down)

Ejection murmur:
- soft systolic murmur best heart in 2-4 intercostal spaces, turbulent outflow

Venous hum:
- Continuous murmur heard below clavicles when child lies down due to turbulent flow in head/neck veins

Still’s murmur:
- Low pitched heart sound at lower left sternal border

48
Q

Ventricular septal defect?

A
  • Loud pan systolic murmur at lower left sternal edge
  • Radiates through praecordium
  • May be thrills/signs of HF
49
Q

Atrial septal defect?

A

Soft ejection systolic murmur best heard at left upper sternal border with fixed splitting of S2

50
Q

Coarctation murmur?

A
  • Ejection systolic murmur best heard between the shoulder blades
  • Weak femoral pulse and radio-radial delay
51
Q

PDA murmur?

A

Continuous machine like murmur best heard below clavicle

52
Q

Presentation of GORD in kids?

A

Regurgitation following feeds, chronic hiccups, unexplained refusal to feed/failure to thrive - typically develops <8 weeks

Clinical diagnosis

  • feed at 30 degrees, sit upright afterwards
  • thickened feeds
  • Alginates (Gaviscon) (not with thickened feeds)
  • PPI if distress behaviour/faltering growth
  • metoclopramide under specialists
  • fundoplication last resort
53
Q

Intususseption:

  • features?
  • age?
  • Ix?
  • Rx?
A

Intermittent vomiting (milky, yellow), red jelly stool, sausage shaped mass

6 months old

USS - target lesion

Rx: air enema, or surgery if that fails

54
Q

Green bilious vomiting <1 y/o?

Ix?

A

Volvolus until proven otherwise

AXR
2nd line upper GI contrast series

55
Q

Ix for chronic diarrhoea?

A

Blood - anti-TTG
Sweat test
Stool culture
Growth chart (if normal unlikely to be malabsorption/inflammatory)

If all normal & no visible food trial cow’s milk free diet

56
Q

When to test urine in kids?

A

Signs/symptoms suggestive of UTI
Unexplained fever >38
Collect using MSSU if possible, if not use urine collection pads

<3 months - immediate referral to paeds for assessment of renal tract (USS)

> 3 months:

  • upper - referral or abx 7-10 days
  • lower - abx 3 days
  • recurrent - referral for USS
57
Q
Measles cause?
Presentation?
Ix?
Management?
Complications?
A

RNA paramyxovirus

  • Prodromal cough, fever, nasal discharge
  • Koplik spots
  • Maculopapular rash - after 4 days, starts behind ears/on face, then rapidly covers whole body

Ix: IgM -> ELISA

Management: supportive, notify

Complications: pneumonia, otitis media, subacute sclerosis panencephalitis

58
Q
Mumps cause?
Presentation?
Ix?
Management?
Comps?
A

RNA paramyxovirus

  • fever, malaise
  • bilateral parotid swelling
  • boys - orchitis

Salivary IgM (throat swab)

Isolation and supportive

Pancreatitis, aseptic meningitis

59
Q
Rubella cause?
Presentation?
Ix?
Management?
Pregnancy?
A

AKA german measles

RNA rubella virus

  • pink discrete maculopapular rash -> starts on face then rapidly spreads to body
  • sub-occipital/post-auricular lymphadenopathy

Ix: rubella IgM

Management: supportive

Pregnancy:

  • assoc w congenital heart disease, deafness and reduced IQ
  • screened for at booking
  • Management: Ig
60
Q

Site of atopic dermatitis in infants?

A

Infants: face, trunk and extensors
Older kids: classic flexural distribution

Emollients +/- steroids

61
Q

Foetal/neonatal CMV infection?

A

Hepatosplenomegaly
Microcephaly
pinpoint ‘blueberry muffin’ petechiae skin rash
Sensorineural deafness

62
Q

What is genetic anticipation? 2 things which show it?

A

Younger age of onset with each generation

Huntington’s
Myotonic dystrophy

63
Q
Duodenal atresia?
Jejunal atresia?
Meconium ileus?
Malrotation with volvulus?
NEC?
A

Duodenal atresia:
Bilious vomiting first day of life, AXR Double bubble sign, Higher rate in Down’s

Jejunal atresia:
Bilious vomiting first day of life, AXR shows fluid level

Meconium ileus:
Bilious vomiting 1-2 days after birth, abdo distension, failure to pass meconium, AXR shows distension & fluid level, sweat test to rule out CF

Malrotation with volvulus:
bilious vomiting 3-7 days after birth, peritonism, haemodynamic compromise, USS abnormal location of SMA/V, upper GI contrast shows DJ flexure medially

NEC:
2nd week of life, bilious vomiting, bloody loose stool, dilated bowel loops with air cysts - stop feeds and broad spec abx

64
Q
Moro reflex?
Grasp reflex?
Rooting?
Stepping?
Tonic neck?
Suck?
A

Moro - head extension causes abduction then adduction of arms - disappears by 3-4 months

Grasp - disappears at 4-5 months

Rooting - when corner of mouth is stroked baby turns head to follow stroking - disappears at 4 months

Stepping - steps when held upright - disappears at 2 months

Tonic neck - when head is turned, they will stick that arm out and bend opposite arm (like fencing pose) - lasts 5-7 months

Suck reflex - disappears at 6-7 months - doesn’t fully develop until 36 weeks so premature babies may have weak suck reflex

65
Q

Meconium aspiration syndrome:

A

XR - patchy infiltrates, atelectasis

66
Q

Subacute thyroiditis:

  • cause?
  • stages?
  • Ix?
  • management?
A

Usually after a viral infection

Stages:

  1. painful goitre, hyperthyroid, raised ESR (3-6 weeks)
  2. euthyroid (1-3 weeks)
  3. hypothyroid (weeks-months)
  4. normal

Ix:
scintigraphy - reduced uptake globally

Management:

  • NSAIDs if painful goitre
  • Usually no Rx
  • steroids if severe, especially in hypothyroidism
67
Q

Causes of hypercalcaemia?

A

CHIMPANZEES

C - calcium supplements
H - hyperparathyroid/hereditary (FHH)
I - iatrogenic/immobility
M - multiple myeloma, medication (lithium)
P - parathyroid adenoma
A - alcohol, Addison's
N - neoplasm (breast, lung)
Z - zollinger-ellison syndrome
E - excess VitD
E - excess VitA
S - Sarcoidosis (granuloma can 1a hydroxylate VitD)
68
Q

Why can calcium cause high urea?

A

dehydration

High urea and normal/borderline high creatinine points to dehydration/pre-renal cause

69
Q

If hypercalcaemia and give bisphosphonates, how long does it take to see results?

A

3 days

Cannot give more than once per week - risk of osteonecrosis of jaw (or rarely pelvis)

70
Q

Can lithium be given in thyrotoxicosis?

A

Yes, low down the order after B blockers, PTU, dexamethasone and considering Lugol’s iodine

Lithium blocks peripheral conversion of T4 to T3

71
Q

In panhypopituitarism what is given first between?

A

Cortisol - because giving thyroxine first increases metabolic rate but won’t have enough cortisol to keep up with this

72
Q

Order of loss of pituitary hormones if a pituitary tumour?

A
GH
Gonadotrophin (LH/FSH)
ACTH
PRL
TSH
73
Q

Causes of polyuria:

  • common?
  • less common?
  • very rare?
A

Common:

  • diuretics, caffeine, alcohol
  • diabetes mellitus
  • heart failure
  • lithium

less common:

  • hypercalcaemia
  • hypokalaemia
  • hyperthyroidism
  • CKD
  • primary polydipsia

Very rare:
- diabetes insipidus

74
Q

How long to wait after having radioactive iodine before getting pregnant?

A

12 months both male and female

75
Q

What diabetes meds are good in previous MI?

A

GLP-1 agonists

SGLT2 inhibitors

76
Q

Methods of testosterone replacement in men?

SE to be careful of?

A

Daily gel or daily gel

  • Growth of undiagnosed prostate malignancy
  • Aggressive behaviours
  • Polycythaemia - secondary - increases Hb production
77
Q

What to do with metformin if very unwell e.g. AKI/sepsis?

A

Stop it until better, risk of lactic acidosis

78
Q

ABG profile with hyperaldosteronism?

A

Hyperchloraemic metabolic alkalosis

Ca happen mildly in Conn’s, get it more in ectopic production of ACTH e.g. lung cancer

79
Q

Why do you get hoarseness in hypothyroidism?

A

Fluid retention around larynx

80
Q

If someone has Grave’s eye disease, what supplement can sometimes be given to help it?
What antithyroid treatment cannot be given?

A

Oral selenium

CANNOT give radioactive iodine - makes it worse

81
Q

Cushing’s ABG pattern?

A

Hypokalaemia metabolic alkalosis

82
Q

HbA1c targets in diabetes?

A

Standard = 48

If risk of hypoglycaemia (e.g. on gliclazide) target = 53

83
Q

In DKA - what should happen to their regular insulin when treating the patient?

A

Continue long acting

Stop short acting

84
Q

What calcium results are expected in CKD?

A
low Ca (low vitD)
High phosphate (inability to excrete)
High ALP (bone resorption)
High PTH
85
Q

Causes of a lower than expected HbA1c?

A

Things that decrease RBC lifespan:
Haemolysis (G6PD, spherocytosis)
Sickle cell

86
Q

Causes of a higher than expected HbA1c?

A

Things that increase RBC lifespan:
B12/folate def
Iron def
Splenectomy