Hematology Flashcards
Iron deficiency anemia
Microcytic hypochromic anemia= reduced hemoglobin, reduced MCV, increased RDW
- Serum iron= reduced iron, reduced ferritin, increased total iron-binding capacity
- Reticulocytes= normal to low, lack polychromasia on smear
- Smear= Microcytic hypochromic RBCs, increased central pallor
Anisocytosis
Variation in RBC cell size
Poikilocytosis
Variation in RBC cell shape
Polychromasia
Increase in reticulocyte count
Spherocytes
Smaller, round shaped red blood cells which lack central pallor. Due to:
- Acquired immune hemolytic anemia
- Post transfusion
- Hemolytic anemia due to oxidant drugs
- Hemolysis due to a large spleen
- Hereditary spherocytosis
Elliptocyte
AKA ovalocyte: An elongated red blood cell with blunt end; Shape varies from slightly oval or egg-shaped to long pencil-like. due to:
- Hereditary elliptocytosis
- Smaller number can be seen in iron deficiency, thalassemia, hemoglobinopathy, and other anemia.
Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
- Include thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hemolytic uremic syndrome, uremia with hypertension, sickle cell anemia with pulmonary emboli.
- Red blood cells are fragmented by intravascular fibrin deposit in TTP and DIC
- Red cell morphology includes helmet, burr, acanthocyte, spur, spiculated, fragmented, pinched etc.
Lab testing for multiple myeloma/immune secretory disorders
- Serum immunoglobulin and free light chain quantitation
- Serum and urine protein electrophoresis
- Immunofixation
RBC
Red blood cell count (total)
- Cells/liter of blood
- Male= 4.5-6 x 10^12/L
- Female= 4-5.5 x 10^12/L
Hemoglobin
Concentration of blood (grams of cells/dL blood)
- Anemia= decreased Hb
- Polycythemia= increased Hb
Hematocrit
Volume of RBCs in blood
- Hematocrit= RBC x MCV (liter/cell)
MCV
Mean corpuscular volume
- Mean of RBC distribution (normal 82-100)
- Microcytosis= decreased MCV
- Macrocytosis= increased MCV
Differential diagnosis of neutrophilia: Leukemoid reaction vs CML
Leukemoid reaction versus CML (chronic myelogenous leukemia)
- Stages of myeloid cells present
- Alkaline phosphatase activity
- Morphologic findings (toxic changes)
- Basophilia)
- Philadelphia chromosome (BCR/ABL)
- Leukemoid reaction= LAP (leukocyte alkaline phosphatase) elevated
- CML= LAP depressed
Neutropenia
Absolute neutrophil count < 1800/uL
- Increased susceptibility to infection as neutrophil count drops below 1000/ml
- Agranulocytosis - virtual absence of neutrophils (depletion of blood and marrow storage pools)
- May need to use antibiotic prophylaxis
MCH
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
- Hemoglobin concentration per cell
- Normal range: 27-34 pg
- Hemoglobin divided by RBC
- Limited clinical use
MCHC
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
- Average hematoglobin concentration per total red blood cell volume, Normal range 32-36%
- Hemoglobin divided by hematocrit
- Limited clinical use
RDW
Red cell distribution width
- Coefficient of variation of red cell histogram distribution curve
- Measure degree of variation of red blood cell size (or anisocytosis)
- Increase of RDW is associated with anemia from various deficiencies: Iron, B12, folate
- Normal or low RDW is associated with thalassemia or anemia of chronic disease
- Not specific, must be interpreted in conjunction of other CBC and red cell indices
Reticulocytes
Immature red blood cells containing residual ribosomes
Indicator of red cell production
Measured by automated method or manual count
Clinically used to evaluate anemia
- Low reticulocyte count: iron deficiency, folate/B12 deficiency, bone marrow failure
- High reticulocyte count: acute blood loss, hemolysis
ESR
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Measures distance of red blood cells fall in a vertical tube over a given period of time
- Negative charges on red blood cells prevent stacking
- Inflammatory proteins (such as fibrinogen, a-, b-, g-globins) increase red cell sedimentation.
- A more rapid fall of red cells in the test tube, resulting higher stack of red cells – elevated ESR
- Elevated ESR indicates inflammatory process: useful in monitor disease process, esp. temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica
- Not recommended for screening test or diagnostic purpose
- False positive and false negative common
Physical exam in Anemia
- Known bleeding
- Hypoxia
- Hemolysis: jaundice/scleral icterus, pallor, tachycardia, tachypnea
- Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly
Causes of Microcytic anemia
IRON DEFICIENCY: hypochromic anemia
Hemoglobinopathies: THALASSEMIA, sickle cell
Membrane diseases: spherocytosis
Workup of microcytic anemia
Look for symptoms (bleeding, fatigue) Labs: - CBCD and smear - Iron studies: Fe, TIBC, ferritin - Hemoglobin electrophoresis: Genetic studies for α thalassemia
Causes of Macrocytic anemia
Nutritional deficiencies
- B12
- FOLATE
- Both important for DNA synthesis: issues cause increased cell size
Hemolysis (usually) Myelodysplastic syndrome Medication related (block DNA synthesis) - Hydroxyurea - AZT and other anti-virals - Phenytoin Toxic exposures - Alcohol
Workup for macrocytic anemia
- Ask about alcohol consumption and medications, including nonprescription medications, supplements, etc.
- B12 and folate: Homocysteine and MMA
- LDH, reticulocyte count, haptoglobin
- Consider bone marrow biopsy
- Consider specialized tests for workup of hemolytic anemia