haematology Flashcards
In acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose, which toxic metabolite accumulates in the liver causing damage?
NAPQI
In the treatment of acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose, which drug can be administered to help maintain or replenish depleted liver glutathione levels?
Acetylcysteine
In the treatment of acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose, which drug can be administered to help maintain or replenish depleted liver glutathione levels?
Acetylcysteine
what is a schistocyte?
fragmented part of a red blood cell (can be seen in aortic valve stenosis or when RBC are passing through narrowed passages)
what are the different causes microcytic anaemia?
T - thalasemia
A - anaemia of chronic disease
I - iron deficiency
L - lead poisoning
S - sideroblastic anaemia
what are the causes of normocytic anaemia?
A – Acute blood loss
A – Anaemia of Chronic Disease
A – Aplastic Anaemia
H – Haemolytic Anaemia
H – Hypothyroidism
what are the 2 types of macrocytic anaemia?
what are the causes of each type of macrocytic anaemia?
megaloblastic or normoblastic
megaloblastic:
* B12 deficiency
* Folate deficiency
normoblastic:
* Alcohol
* Reticulocytosis (usually from haemolytic anaemia or blood loss)
* Hypothyroidism
* Liver disease
* Drugs such as azathioprine
what triggers haemolysis in patients with G6PDH deficiency?
antimalarial drugs e.g. primaquine
they further deplete glutathione levels
what is the difference between alpha and beta thalassaemia?
alpha thalassaemia = deletion or loss of function of one or more of the 4 alpha globin genes
beta thalassaemia = mutation in beta globin genes leading to reduction or absence of beta globin
(both result in microcytic anaemia
- what is hereditary haemochromatosis?
- what happens to the excess iron?
- how do patients present with hereditary haemochromatosis?
- how is hereditary haemochromatosis treated?
- excessive absorption of dietary iron
- iron accumulates in organs (liver, adrenal glands, heart)
- liver cirrhosis, adrenal insufficiency, hert failure, arthritis, diabetes
- theraputic phlebotomy to remove excess iron
what is the treatment for Vit B12 deficiency?
for pernicious anaemia: intramuscular hydroxycobalamine
other causes of B12 deficiency: oral cyanocobalamine
what is the treatment of folate deficiency?
oral folic acid
which cytokine increases production of hepcidin in liver?
interleukin 6 - released as a consequence of inflammatory disease
can cause anaemia of chronic disease
what is the function of transcobalamin II?
binds to vit B12 once taken up by enterocytes and facilitates transport of B12 from blood into tissue
what is the function of transcobalamin I?
produced by salivary glands + serves to protect Vit B12 from acid degradation in stomach