Hematology Module 2B Flashcards
Anemia of chronic disease is often associated with what?
chronic infection, inflammatory disease, trauma, neoplastic disease
Is the patient with anemia of chronic disease iron deficient?
No, the iron exists but remains trapped and not utilized.
what are 4 characteristics of anemia of chronic disease?
Decreased RBC lifespan, suppressed production of erythropoietin, ineffective bone marrow progenitor response to erythropoietin, altered iron metabolism
think major effect is on iron metabolism
what is the treatment of anemia of chronic disease?
Treat the underlying cause of anemia
In anemia of chronic disease, the ferritin would be what?
normal or increased
in anemia of chronic disease, the serum iron would be what?
decreased
in anemia of chronic disease, the total iron binding capacity would be what?
decreased
in anemia of chronic disease, the transferrin saturation would be what?
decreased
in anemia of chronic disease, the blood smear would be?
normocytic and normochromic
Normocytic describes what?
the average size of RBCs
Normochromic describes what?
the average amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cell
what are common symptoms associated with anemia of chronic disease/inflammation?
weight loss
anorexia
fever
chills
myalgias
arthralgias
most are asymptomatic
what is macrocytosis mean?
erythrocytes that are larger than normal
what is the difference between pernicious anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency megaloblastic anemia?
pernicious anemia is lack of vitamin B12 caused by an autoimmune destruction of the gastric parietal cells, leading to lack of intrinsic factor.
Megaloblastic anemia, vitamin b12 deficiency is caused by low intake, medications, alcohol, disorders of the intestine causing vitamin b12 to be low
what are some clinical signs and symptoms to vitamin b12 (pernicious) anemia?
fatigue
weakness
mental changes–depression
low grade fever
pallor
numbness and tingling in hands and feet
what is the test that confirms vitamin B12 deficiency?
the Schilling test
How is the schilling test done?
In stages, first stage the patient is given radioactive vitamin b12 orally and then injected with unlabeled vitamin b12. the goal is for the radioactive vitamin b12 to pass in the urine while the injected vitamin b12 is absorbed by the liver.
what is considered a normal (negative) test for the schilling test?
radioactive vitamin b12 excreted in the urine
what is considered a positive test for the schilling?
radioactive vitamin b12 is not excreted in the urine, which proceeds to stage 2 with a repeat of stage 1 only with the addition of intrinsic factor–which if it results in a normal test, you have a diagnosis of pernicious anemia likely.
what two lab levels should be checked specifically to confirm vitamin b12 deficiency in asymptomatic patients at high risk and to exclude vitamin b12 deficiency in symptomatic pts? what would rule it in with these lab results?
MMA (methylmalonic acid) and homocysteine
both will be increased
what is the replacement therapy for vitamin b12 deficiency/pernicious anemia?
start off with 100 mcg/ml IM/SQ B12 injection once daily for one week, then 100 mcg IM/SQ weekly for 5-6 week.
Intranasal is 500 mcg/spray once a week
Patients with vitamin b12 deficiency need to be referred to a GI specialist because of what?
For an endoscopy every 5 years due to increased risk of gastric carcinoma (there is a threefold increase in gastric carcinoma).
what does folic acid do?
it is a water-soluble vitamin that helps make DNA, repair DNA, and produce RBCs.
what medications are capable of lowering vitamin b12 levels?
metformin, histamine H2 blockers, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, proton pump inhibitors
what medications are capable of lowering folic acid levels?
methotrexate, sulfa drugs-Bactrim, triamterene, phenytoin, and metformin
what is the daily folate requirement for women of child bearing age?
400-800 mcg daily
what is the daily folate requirement for women who are pregnant??
600 mcg daily
how long does a person with folic acid deficiency need to take oral replacement?
For about 4-5 weeks, though if not resolved, continue taking 1 mg po indefinitely
what is the folic supplementation for treatment?
1-2 mg po daily for 4-5 weeks
when should you follow up with a patient who has started folic acid supplementation to treat folic acid deficiency?
follow up in 2 weeks for reevaluation then monthly
what type of genetic trait do people with sickle cell disease have?
they have an autosomal recessive disorder
what is the first manifestation of sickle cell disease in infants?
Dactylitis (hand-foot syndrome)
irritability and refusal to walk are also common
what is dactylitis?
painful swollen hands and/or feet in children, makes them look like sausages
what is the newborn screening test for sickle cell disease?
Sickeldex test
its a small blood sample that looks at how many rbcs have the sickle shape
what is the newborn screening test for sickle cell disease?
Sickledex test
its a small blood sample that looks at how many rbcs have the sickle shape
what medication is prescribed for infants who have sickle cell disease?
Penicillin V 125 mg-250 mg po BID, age start at 2 months.
d/c after age 5 if s/p splenectomy
stop at age 6 if no pneumococcal infections
what vaccine is recommended to sickle cell patients?
Pneumococcal vaccine
why is hydroxyurea prescribed to infants that have sickle cell disease?
It increases fetal hemoglobin which decreases the production of sickle-shaped red blood cells, decreasing sickling events
what confirms the diagnosis of sickle cell disease?
hemoglobin electropheresis
what supplement should sickle cell patient be taking regularly?
folic acid 1mg/day
what are the three most common symptoms of pernicious anemia?
weakness, sore tongue, and tingling of the extremities
where is erythropoietin secreted?
It is secreted by the kidney