Hematology Flashcards
What is a hemoatologist
board-certified internist, or pediatrician who has completed additional years of training in hematology.
Focuses on direct patient care and diagnosing and managing hematologic disease.
What is hematopathology
the study of disease of the blood and bone marrow and of the organs and tissues that use blood cells to perform their physiologic functions.
-lymph nodes, the spleen, thymus, and other lymphoid tissue
What is Dyscrasia
Dyscrasia: a nonspecific term that refers to a disease or disorder, especially of the blood.
Literal meaning – “bad mixture”
What is Diathesis
Diathesis: a constitutional predisposition toward a particular state or condition and especially one that is abnormal or diseased.
Bleeding diathesis –refers to an inherited or acquired disorder affecting primary or secondary hemostasis (hemorrhagic diathesis, bleeding tendency, bleeding disorder)
What is the role of erythropoietin
stimulate red blood cell (RBC) production
Synthesized in the kidneys
What is the role of Thrombopoetin
stimulates platelet production
Synthesized primarily in the liver
(to a minor degree in the kidney, spleen, and other organs)
What is the role cytokines
stimulate WBC production
Colony-stimulating factors (CSF) and Interleukins
Cytokines secreted by macrophages, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, and mast cells, as well as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and stromal cells
What makes up a Hgb unit
Hgb unit consists of 2 alpha (α) and 2 beta (β) chains
Each chain contains ferrous iron in a heme ring which binds reversibly to oxygen
How long do Reticulocytes circulate in the blood stream
120 days
What is heme broken down into
The heme portion is broken down into biliverdin for transport in the blood.
What are the three granulocytes
Basophils
Eosinophils
Neutrophils
What are the 2 Agranulocytes
Monocytes
Lymphocytes
Most abundant WBC
Neutrophils
How many lobes do neutrophils have
3-5 normally
Less than that means immature
More than that means older
What do neutrophil bands mean
Infection
Lots of young neutrophils
What do hypersegmented neutrophils suggest
Vitamin B12 or Folate Deficiency
How many lobes do eosinophils have
Bilobed
Role of eosinophils
Modulate acute hypersensitivity reactions
Defend against parasitic infections
Defend against intracellular bacteria
What is the role of Basophils
Least common of all of the white blood cells
account for <1% of the total WBCs circulating in the blood
Commonly involved in allergic reactions and chronic inflammation
What is the WBC thats increased in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Basophils
What is the role of Monocytes
The main phagocytic cells in the body
Liver (Kupffer cells)
Brain (Microglia)
They are agranular kidney shaped
What are the role of Lymphoctyes
T cells and B cells and NK cells
What is the normal MCV
80-100
This defines microcytic vs macro anemia
What is anicocytosis
A LARGE variation in MCV of the RBCs
What is a reticulocyte
Reticulocytes – immature RBCs that usually stay in the bone marrow until mature and then enter the circulation
What # define anemia
Men: Hct < 41% or Hgb < 13.5 g/dL
Women: Hct < 36% or Hgb < 12 g/dL
What is the most common cause of anemia
The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency
Bleeding is the most common cause of iron deficiency in adults
Poor diet may result in folic acid deficiency and contribute to iron deficiency
What is the W/u of Anemia
History and physical examination
Laboratory evaluation - Initial
- CBC
- Reticulocyte count
- Peripheral blood smear
- CMP
- LDH, Haptoglobin, Bilirubin (indirect)
Later, based on findings
- Nutritional studies
- Iron, B12, Folate
- Bone marrow examination
A progressing microcytic anemia should prompt what investigation
CA UPO
A pt presents with tachycardia, paleness, splenomegaly, jaundice
Think anemia
What other three findings would you find?
- Cheilosis (usually due to vitamin B12 deficiency)
- Smooth tongue (“geographic tongue”)
- Brittle and/or spooning nails (koilonychia)
What is ferritin
Ferritin
- Cellular storage protein for iron
- Found in virtually all cells of the body and in tissue fluid
- Serum ferritin concentration usually correlates with total-body iron stores
- Except under conditions of inflammation
- Ferritin is an acute phase reactant
What is transferrin
Plasma iron transport protein
What is hemosiderin
Hemosiderin -Found predominantly in macrophages —From phagocytosis of erythrocytes -Not a readily available source of iron -Pathological increases in iron overload states
What is Ferroportin
Ferroportin (the ‘iron door’)
- The cellular iron exporter
- Facilitates transport of iron to apotransferrin in macrophages for delivery to erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow prepared to synthesize hemoglobin (‘iron recycling’)
What is Hepcidin
Hepcidin
- Key negative regulator of intestinal iron absorption as well as macrophage iron release
- ‘closes the iron door’
What does serum iron measure
Serum Iron
-measures circulating iron, most of which is bound to the transport protein transferrin
What does TIBC measure
Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)
-Measures the blood’s capacity to bind iron with transferrin
What does TSAT measure
TSAT
-% Transferrin saturation =
(Serum Fe/TIBC) x 100
What comes in an Iron panel
Serum Iron, ferritin, Transferrin, TIBC< and TSAT
+sTfR
=sTfR/log
What is sTfR ?
Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)
-Circulating transferrin receptor or serum transferrin receptor
—Serum concentration directly proportional to erythropoietic rate
—Inversely proportional to tissue iron availability
What iron study is inversely proportional to tissue iron availability
Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)
High sTfR-ferritin index is a sign of…
iron deficiency due to increased erythropoietic drive and low iron stores
what will the reticulocyte count be in iron def anemia
LOW!
RBC need Iron to be made
If the reticulocytes are low
The serum iron is low
The ferritin in low
And the TIBC is high
Think
Iron deficiency
If the reticulocytes are low
The serum iron and TIBC are low
With a normal or high ferritin
Think
Increased sedimentation or C-reactive proteins
Think Anemia of chronic Dz
If the reticulocytes are low
And the serum iron, Normal TIBC, Normal Ferritin
Think?
Obtain hemoglobin studies
Think Alpha Thalasemmia trait
Or Beta thalassemia train
Or Hemoglobin E
or C syndromes or disorders
If the Reticulocytes are low and the serum iron, TIBC, and ferritin are all elevated
Think
Obtain bone marrow studies iwth iron stains
Think Sideroblastic anemias
If the Reticulocytes are increased in microcytic anemia
Think/?
Review blood smears
And look for hemolysis Dz
What is the most common cause of anemia world wide
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world
Anemia is the most common manifestation
What is the tx to Iron Def Anemia
Goal of therapy = repair Hgb deficit and replenish storage iron
Oral replacement – Treatment of choice
Ferrous sulfate
What drug interaction should be avoided in Iron Def Anemia
Levothyroxine
Also avoid coffee, dairy, and spinach
What vitamin increases Iron absorption
C
When should IV iron be given to Deficiency pts
Reserved for the patient who:
-Remains intolerant to PO iron despite dosage modifications
- Unable to meet iron requirements with PO therapy
- Chronic uncontrollable bleeding, hemodialysis
-Iron malabsorption
Ex: surgical resection of the small intestine
When should Iron Def anemia recover after Tx
Return of the Hct level halfway toward normal within 3 weeks
-return to baseline after 2 months
Hemoglobin/Hematocrit values should correct by 6-8 weeks
Continue therapy for 3-6 months after restoration of values to replace iron stores
New-onset iron deficiency anemia in a male > 50 years old OR a postmenopausal female:
Consider!?
an occult gastrointestinal malignancy until proven otherwise!
Evaluate for potential GI blood loss with EGD and colonoscopy
WHat is the most frequent anemia of hospitalized pts
Anemia of chronic dz
What is the progression of Anemia of chronic Dz
initially normocytic and normochromic
That eventually becomes Hypochromic and microcytic
What are the mutuation of Alpha and Beta thalassemia
Alpha thalassemia – due primarily to gene deletions causing reduced alpha-globin chain synthesis
Beta thalassemia – point mutations rather than deletions of the beta chain
Define thalassemia intermedia
thalassemia intermedia when there is an occasional red blood cell transfusion requirement or other moderate clinical impact
Define thalassemia major
thalassemia major when the disorder is life-threatening and the patient is transfusion-dependent (α - Hemoglobin H/Hydrops Fetalis)
How does Alpha thalassemia effect beta chains
In the presence of reduced alpha chains, the excess beta chains are unstable and precipitate, leading to damage of red blood cell membranes.
This leads to both intramedullary and peripheral hemolysis
What are the hallmark features of Thalassemia
Microcytic, hypochromic anemia (low Hct and Hgb)
Normal to elevated RBC count
—Small RBCs (**low MCV)
—Pale RBCs (low Mean Corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
Normal to elevated reticulocyte count
More severe cases
—Elevated hemolysis labs – LDH, indirect bili,
Decreased haptoglobin
What is a Mentxer Index
Calculation that is helpful in differentiating between IDA and Beta Thalassemia trait
MCV (fL) divided by RBC count (millions/mm3)
Value of < 13 suggests Beta Thalassemia trait
Target cells in anemia indicate
Thalassemia
Acanthocytes and Codocytes indicate
Thalassemia
Define sideroblastic anemia
Inability of erythroblasts to incorporate iron into protoporphyrin
Bone marrow produces ringed sideroblasts instead of healthy RBCs
Presence of basophilic stippling
What are the causes of sideroblastic anemia
Rx: Alcohol (MC) , Isonazid, cyclosporine, chloramphenicol
And lead poisoning
Copper or B6 deficiencies
Chemo/Rads
inherited
You find microcyctic anemia and Dimorphism cells
Ringed Sideroblastic (Prussian blue)
Or Erythroid hyperplasia
Sideroblastic anemia
R/o inherited with genetic testing
What vitamin can help Sideroblastic anemia
Vit B6 (Pyridoxine)
On labs you see an increased level of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin
Think
Lead poisoning
If a lab shows hypersegmented neutrophils or macro ovalocytes
Think
Vit B12 or Folate deficiency
Megaloblastic anemia
What is the diff between macrocyte and megaloblastic
Megaloblastic has a nucleus
Macrocyclic is just large
How is MMA in Vit B12 vs Folate deficiency
In Vit B12 MMA is high
WHat is required for B12 absorption
Intrinsic Factor
Deficiency here = pernicious anemia
How does chrons Dz commonly present
Terminal illietus
Where you absorb B12
Which means Megalopbalstic anemia
Metformin, PPI, and H2 blockers all lead to what deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency
In a folate deficiency
What major finding will you see
Homocysteine elevation
IF MMA and Homocsytine are elevated think what kind of anemia
Vit B12
Describe Pernicious Anemia
An autoimmune form of vitamin B12 deficiency
Antibodies destroy gastric parietal cells
Lack of parietal cells = lack of IF =B12 deficiency
Autoimmune disease tend to cluster – suspect with other autoimmune disease
(e.g., Graves disease, Addison disease, hypothyroidism)
If a pt has S/s of B12 deficiency without obvious cause
And they are not responsicve to B12 therapy
Think
Pernicious Anemia
What is the appropriate response to Vit B12 treatment
Erythropoiesis starts to normalize within 1-2 days
Hypersegmented neutrophils will usually disappear within 10-14 days
Neurologic S&S are reversible if less than 6 months, but possibly permanent (areflexia) with longer durations
What is Vit B9
Folate
What is the role or Folate
Folate serves as a cofactor in DNA synthesis
Interference with DNA synthesis affects all rapidly dividing cells
What are the causes of NONmegaloblastic anemia
Alcohol abuse
COPD
Hypothyroidism
Accelerated Erythropoesis
(Hemolytic anemia)
Hepatic Dz
Bone Marrow failure
What are the medications that cause nonmegaloblastic anemia
Methotrexate
Benzene
Purine agonist (acyclovir)
Pyridimine
Hydroxyurea
Retrovir
What are the common causes of normocytic anemia
Chronic inflammation
Malignancy
CKD
Hypothyroid
Chronic Hepatic Dz
Aplastic Anemia
Hemolytic Anemia
Acute Blood Loss
What is the primary maker of EPO
The Kidney
What stimulates Hepcidin
Synthesis stimulated by:
increases in iron body stores, infection, inflammation, or malignancy
What inhibits Hepcidin production
Hypoxemia and Increased Erythropoeitic demand
What are the two places that make EPO
Liver and Kidney
What is the Tx approach to Anemia of Chronic Disease
Treat underlying condition
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA)
—Cancer undergoing active
chemotherapy
—Chronic kidney disease - glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 30 ml/min
—HIV treatments with evidence of myelosuppression
Iron supplements (generally not recommended if no iron deficiency)
Blood transfusion as necessary for severe or life-threatening anemia
What Rx cause Aplastic anemia
Carbamazepine and phenytoin Chloramphenicol and sulfas
NSAIDS
Anti thyroid rx
Gold
What is the hallmark of aplastic anemia
Pancytopenia
What is required for the Dx of aplasia anemia
Bone Bx
What is the tx for Aplastic anemia
Treatment:
-Eliminate offending agent
—Immunosuppressive agents may be helpful
-Supportive care
—Bleeding – platelet transfusion
—Anemia – blood transfusion
—Marrow stimulating agents
Bone marrow transplant
Howell Jolly Bodies, indicates what …
nuclear remnants within red cells that are ordinarily removed by the spleen
—Indicates asplenia or splenic hypofunction
What are the types of intrinsic hemolytic anemias
Defect in the RBC itself
(usually hereditary)
- Membrane defects – hereditary spherocytosis
- Oxidation vulnerability – G6PD
- Hemoglobinopathies – sickle cell disease, thalassemia
What are the types of Extrinsic Heemolytic Anemia
External factor not caused by the RBC
Immune
—Autoimmune, drug toxicity
Microangiopathic
—Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), cardiac valve hemolysis (mechanical)
Infection
—Malaria (plasmodium), clostridium, borrelia