Introduction to Hemolytic Anemia

Question 1

Hemolytic Anemia

Answer 1

Usually Normocytic/Normochromic
RBC life span is decreased

Question 2

General Characteristics

Answer 2

Increased retic
Polychromasia
nRBCs
RPI >2.0
Possible increased MCV
Erythroid hyperplasia in bone marrow = decreased M:E ratio
RBCs with various shapes
Increased bilirubin and jaundice
Hgbemia, Hgburia, Hemosiderinuria
Decreased haptoglobin
Increased urobilinogen
Increased LDH

Question 3

Intravascular

Answer 3

Within Vessels
- Due to Antibody and/or complement
- Trauma
- Toxins
Free hemoglobin complexes with Haptoglobin
- Hemoglobin binds with hemopexin
- Hemoglobin into methemoglobin and becomes methemalbumin

Question 4

Extravascular

Answer 4

RBC destruction
- Liver
- Spleen
- Bone Marrow
Increased bilirubin without hemoglobinemia, hemoglobinuria, and hemosiderinuria
Increased urobilinogen

Question 5

Intrinsic Defects

Answer 5

Abnormality of RBC
- Membrane, enzymes, and hemoglobin molecule
- Often hereditary

Question 6

Extrinsic Defects

Answer 6

Abnormality of environment, trauma
- Often acquired
- Hemoglobinopathies

Question 7

Hemoglobinemia

Answer 7

Medical condition in which there is an excess of hemoglobin in blood plasma

Question 8

Hemoglobinuria

Answer 8

Hemoglobin showing up in the urine
Usually dark or red colored urine
More prominent in the morning

Question 9

Hemosiderinuria

Answer 9

Presence of hemosiderin in the urine
Result of chronic intravascular hemolysis
Hemoglobin is released in excess to binding capacity of haptoglobin

Question 10

Haptoglobin

Answer 10

Protein made by liver
Attaches to certain types of hemoglobin