Full Blood Count

Question 1

Give examples of microcytic anaemia

Answer 1

Iron deficiency

Thalassaemia

Question 2

Give examples of normocytic anaemia

Answer 2

Sickle cell
Acute blood loss
Haemolytic

Question 3

Name some megaloblastic macrocytic anaemia

Answer 3

B12 deficiency

Folate deficiency

Question 4

Name some non-megaloblastic macrocytic anaemia

Answer 4

Alcohol
Liver disease
Pregnancy

Question 5

If B12 or folate deficiency is suspected, what blood tests should be done?

Answer 5

Haematinics - B12, folate and ferritin

Question 6

If iron deficiency anaemia is suspected, what blood tests should be done?

Answer 6

Iron studies:

Iron
Total Iron binding capacity - transferrin 
Transferrin saturation 
Ferritin
Soluble transferrin receptor

Question 7

What kind of anaemia is caused in hypothyroidism?

Answer 7

Normo or macrocytic

Question 8

When could Hb electrophoresis be requested?

Answer 8

When Thalassaemia or sickle cell anaemia is suspected

Question 9

What marker is raised if there has been haemolysis?

Answer 9

Bilirubin

Question 10

What is polycythemia?

Answer 10

Increased concentration of red blood cells in the blood

Question 11

What are some causes of relative polycythemia?

Answer 11

Acute dehydration

Chronic due to HTN, smoking etc

Question 12

What are some causes of absolute polycythemia

Answer 12

Primary = polycythemia ruba Vera
Secondary = due to increased EPO - renal cell carcinoma
Or due to hypoxia - COPD, altitude, congenital cyanotic heart disease