Full Blood Count and Anaemia

Question 1

What does a full blood count look at?

Answer 1

Red Blood Cells, Haematocrit, Haemoglobin, Mean Cell Volume, Mean Cell Haemoglobin, Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration, Red Cell Distribution Width, Platelets, Packed Cell Volume, Mean Platelet Volume, White Blood Cells, Monocytes, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Basophils, Eosinophils

Question 2

What can malaria show up as on a full blood count?

Answer 2

• Reduced red blood cells
• Reduced platelets
• Normal white blood cells

Question 3

What is anaemia?

Answer 3

This is a condition where there are insufficient red blood cells and/or haemoglobin. There is reduced oxygen supply to the body which causes mild to severe dysfunction.

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms of anaemia?

Answer 4

Tiredness/ fatigue
Breathlessness
Pallor
Dizziness
Cold Peripheries
Changes in the RBC's

Question 5

How are abnormalities in the full blood count associated with anaemia?

Answer 5

MCV - looking at cell size

• Microcytic/ hypocytic - smaller than normal
• Normocytic - normal sized
• Macrocytic/ hypercytic - larger than normal

MCHC - looking at Hb

• Hypochromic - reduced haemoglobin
• Normochromic - normal levels
• Hyperchromic - increased haemoglobin

Question 6

What can normocytic, normochronic anaemia be caused by?

Answer 6

Haemorrhage, Chronic conditions

It is an ongoing system deterioration

Question 7

What is haemolytic anaemia a result of?

Answer 7

Reduced life span of red blood cells

Question 8

What is anaemia of chronic disease a result of?

Answer 8

Long term conditions that impact red blood cell production

Question 9

What is haemorrhage anaemia a result of?

Answer 9

Physical blood loss

Question 10

What is iron deficiency anaemia a result of?

Answer 10

Deficiency which leads to decreased amounts of haemoglobin

Question 11

What is vitamin deficiency/ pernicious anaemia a result of?

Answer 11

Deficiency which presents red blood cells from growing and dividing properly. E.g. vitamin B12 deficiency or microcytic anaemia folate deficiency

Question 12

What is aplastic anaemia a result of?

Answer 12

Decreased RBC production in the bone marrow. Here platelets are low so it can cause autoimmune disorders.

Question 13

What are the presentations of microcytic anaemia?

Answer 13

Fatigue, headaches, light headedness and problems concentrating - iron deficiency and blood loss (Hypochromic)

Question 14

What are the presentations of hypochromic anaemia?

Answer 14

May be a broken arm

Question 15

What are the presentations of lupus?

Answer 15

Aplastic anaemia, tiredness and joint pain, reduced reticulocytes and reduced platelets

Question 16

What are the presentations of thalassaemia?

Answer 16

Lack of stamina. This is inherited. Microcytic and hypochromic anaemia normally due to iron deficiency.