Haematology Flashcards
Normal Hb levels in males + females
M = 130-180 F = 115 - 165
What are reticulocytes like? Why? what do they indicate?
larger than normal RBC with MCV >100, more purple (retention of RNA in cytoplasm – reticular network of RNA)
If they are raised they are the immature blood form of RBCs - indicates blood loss, an excess need for RBCs = tissue oxygenation not being met
What symptoms are specific to IDA?
- Stomatitis
- Koilonychia (spoon nails)
- Dysphagia (oesophageal epithelial integrity is damaged due to ID anaemia Plummer-Vinson syndrome)
- Pica
What symptoms are specific to MBA?
Mild jaundice
Bruising
Dementia
Neuropathy
What things cause IgM vs IgG mediated haemolytic anaemia?
IgG mediated (warm) = SLE, CLL IgM mediated (cold) = EBV, mycoplasma
Three major causes of dark urine
Cholestatic disease = conjugated bilirubin –> enter blood after cholestasis
Haemoglobinuria/haemosiderinuria in intravascular haemolysis (like G6PD def)
Or haematuria itself
What are the commonalities between sickle cell anaemia + thalassemia?
Both haemoglobinopathies.
Both investigated via Hb electrophoresis
Both produce “crew-cut appearance of skull
What are Heinz bodies? What conditions do they occur in?
Heinz bodies = precipitation of abnormal globins
Seen in:
- G6PD deficiency
- Thalassemia
5 features to know for G6Pd deficiency
Features to know
- Oxidative damage (old RBC)
- Heinz bodies (globins) – reticulin stains show small dots
- Bite + blister cells = dry RBCs [apple logo]
- Episodic haemolysis
- Splenomegaly, gall stones
hereditary spherocytosis features (5)
- Chronic haemolytic anaemia from birth (if severe) – pallor + jaundice
- Many spherocytes
- Massive splenomegaly
- Cholecystitis and black pigment cholelithiasis due to excess unconjugated bilirubin
- Aplastic, megaloblastic or haemolytic crisis
Name three inherited platelet function disorders, and which is the more common?
- VWD - more common
- Bernard-soulier syndrome
- Glanzman thrombasthenia
Rx for haemophilia
DDAVP (desmopressin)/F8 concentrate - desmopressin stimulates the release of F8 + VWF from the endothelium
How is PT done in the lab?
Blood put into citrate tube. Lab adds calcium + thromboplastin (TF) + heparin inhibtior
How is aPPT done in the lab?
Blood put into citrate tube. Lab adds calcium + phospholipid + intrinsic factor activator.
What do you suspect when both PT + APTT are raised?
Pathology of common pathway - F1,2,5,10