Iron Deficiency Anaemia - Microcytic Anaemia Flashcards
1
Q
What is Microcytic Anaemia?
A
- A reduction in the Haemoglobin concentration and a reduction in the mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
2
Q
What is the pathophysiology of Iron deficiency Anaemia ?
A
- Increased requirements (pregnancy and lactation)
- Increased iron loss (GI bleeding and Menorrhagia)
- Decreased iron uptake (Malabsorption - Coeliac and IBD)
3
Q
What are the symptoms of IDA?
A
- Fatigue, Dyspnoea, dizziness, headaches, nausea and bowel disturbance, PICA
4
Q
What are the signs of IDA?
A
- Pallor, Glossitis, Koilonychia, angular stomatitis and conjunctival pallor
5
Q
What are the investigations for microcytic anaemia?
A
- FBC
- Haematinics
- Blood Film
- Iron Studies
6
Q
What blood results are essential for the diagnosis of IDA?
A
- Serum Ferritin
- Serum Iron
- Total Iron Binding Capacity
7
Q
What will the results be of the investigations in IDA?
A
- Serum Ferritin and Serum Iron (normally low suggesting a depletion of iron stores)
- Total Iron Binding Capacity (typically normal or high)
8
Q
Who should be investigated for suspected GI malignancy?
A
- Male and Postmenopausal women
9
Q
What is the management of IDA?
A
- Oral Replacement of iron in the form of ferrous fumarate/ ferrous sulfate
10
Q
What are the side effects of Ferrous fumarate/ ferrous sulfate?
A
- constipation, black stools, diarrhoea, nausea and dyspepsia
