Introduction to anaemia Flashcards
Red blood cell has no nucleus or mitochondria
True
Diameter of red blood cell?
4um
Shape of red blood cell?
Biconcave disc
Red blood cell is filled with?
Haemoglobin
Red blood cell produces energy via?
Glycolysis under anaerobic conditions
Describe red blood cell reaction to reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Ferrous in haemoglobin is converted to Ferric -> unable to pick up oxygen
Lipid membrane damage shortens RBC life span
True
Function of glutathione
Scavenges ROS to protect RBC
Function of erythryopoietin (EPO)
Hormone that stimulates RBC production in bone marrow
Erythryopoietin is released by?
Kidneys
Erythryopoietin (EPO) is released how?
Release stimulated by decreasing oxygen carrying capacity of blood
Define anaemia
Reduction in RBC number and haemoglobin concentration of blood
Symptoms of anaemia?
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations (i.e. racing heart)
- Chest pain
- Postural hypotension (i.e. change in blood pressure when sitting up)
Signs that clue cause anaemia?
- Angular stomatitis, glossitis, and koilonychia (spoon-shaped nails) -> iron-deficiency anaemia
- Jaundice -> haemolytic anaemia
List causes of anaemia
- decrease production of RBC
- Increased loss of RBC
- Shortened life span or increased destruction of RBC (haemolytic anaemia)
What could cause decreased production of RBC?
- Nutrient deficiencies: iron, vitamin B12, and folate
- Bone marrow pathology
Possible cause of increased loss of RBC
Bleeding
Cause of shortened life span or increased destruction of RBC (haemolytic anaemia)
- Inherited (e.g. thalassemia)
- Acquired (e.g. autoimmune)
Describe Lab test for anaemia using haemoglobin (Hb)
Measure concentration of Hb in blood [g/L]
Describe mean corpuscular volume (MCV) lab test for anaemia
Measure average size of RBC [fL]
Reduced MCV is when?
Microcytic anaemia (<80 fL)
Normal MCV is when?
Normocytic anaemia
Increased MCV is when?
Macrocytic anaemia (> 100 fL)
Define “blood film”
Blood smears dried and stained to view under microscope to find specific morphological findings
Anisocytosis
Abnormal RBC size
Poikilocytosis
Abnormal RBC shape
Hypochromic
Pale/white area is >1/3 of cell
Hyperchromic
Pale/white area is <1/3 of cell
Macrocytes
Large RBC
Spherocytes
Very large, round RBC
Reticulocyte count?
Count number of reticulocytes in blood film (ID by staining residual RNA blue)
Identify Reticulocytes?
Immature RBC; residual RNA is stained blue (bluish tinge to cell)
Reticulocyte maturation requires?
Vitamin B12 and Folate
Reticulocyte count reflects?
Bone marrow production
Diagnosis for microcytic anaemia?
- MCV test (<80 fL)
- Iron deficiency
- Inherited Hb abnormality - i.e. Thalassaemia
Diagnosis for normocytic anaemia?
- Acute blood loss
- Bone marrow pathology
Diagnosis for macrocytic anaemia?
- MCV test (> 100 fL)
- Vitamin B12 or Folate deficiency
- Haemolysis
- Liver disease
Blood film showing hypochromic microcytic cells with anisocytosis and poikilocytosis?
Iron deficiency anaemia
Blood film showing macrocytes
B12 or folate deficiency
Blood film showing spherocytes
Haemolysis
Blood film showing blast cells (primitive cells)
Bone marrow failure
Increased reticulocytes means?
Increased bone marrow production
- Acute haemorrhate
- Reduced RBC life space (haemolysis)
- Response to replenished iron, Vitamin B12 or folate
Decreased reticulocytes means?
- Not enough iron, vitamin B12 or folate
- Bone marrow pathology