Macrocytic And Haemolytic Anaemias Flashcards
What mechanisms can cause anaemia
Decr/dysfunctional erythropoiesis
Abnormal Haem synthesis
Abnormal globin chain synthesis
Abnormal RBC structure
RBC mechanical damage
Abnormal RBC metabolism
Excessive bleeding
Increased removal
How can vitamin deficiencies cause anaemia
Reduce erythropoiesis
Anaemia
Hb level below reference level for age and sex
What are the 3 classes of anaemia based on RBC size
Macrocytic
Normocytic
Microcytic
3 types of macrocytic anaemia
Megaloblastic anaemia
Macronormoblastic erythropoiesis
Stress erythropoiesis
When does stress erythropoiesis occur
After haemorrhage
Characteristics of megaloblasts
Bigger than normal RBCs
Large immature nuclei
What causes megaloblastic anaemia
Interference with DNA synthesis during erythropoiesis
Why do erythrocytes continue growing to form megaloblasts in megaloblastic anaemia
Cell division delayed due to delayed nucleus development
What can lead to megaloblastic anaemia
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Folate deficiency
Drugs
Some erythroid leukaemias
How are erythroblast abnormal in macronormoblastic erythropoiesis
Larger than normal
What conditions can lead to macronormoblastic anaemia
Liver disease
Alcohol toxicity
Some myelodysplastic syndromes
What is Stress erythropoiesis and what type of cell has a higher than normal count when it occurs
Increased erythropoiesis in response to blood loss
Reticulocyte
What causes expanded and accelerated erythropoiesis in stress erythropoiesis
High erythropoietin levels
What can lead to stress erythropoiesis
Recovery from Blood loss/haemorrhage
Recovery from haemolytic anaemia
What foods are high in folate
Green leafy veg
Citrus
Avocados
Other veg
Fortified cereals
Where is folate mainly absorbed
Duodenum
Jejenum
Which cells convert folate to tetrahydrofolate
Intestinal cells
Where is folate taken up and stored
Liver
What is folate needed for
Provide carbon for metabolic reactions - nucleotide base synthesis, DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis
Folate deficiency causes
Dietary deficiency
Increased requirements
Disease of duodenum or jejenum
Drugs which inhibit dihydrofolate reductase
Alcoholism
Liver disease
Heart failure
Folate deficiency symptoms
Anaemia related symptoms
Reduced sense of taste
Diarrhoea
Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
Muscle weakness
Depression
When and how much folic acid should be taken in regards to pregnancy
400ug/day
Before conception - 12wks
Why should folic acid be taken in early pregnancy
Prevents neural tube defects
What role does vitamin b12 play in DNA synthesis
Cofactor
What is vitamin B12 needed for
DNA synthesis
Erythropoiesis
CNS myelination
BCAA metabolism
FA metabolism
Which foods are sources of vitamin b12
Foods of animal origin
Which people require daily vitamin b12 supplements
Vegans
What does vitamin b12 bind to in the stomach
Haptocorrin
Where is intrinsic factor produced
Gastric parietal cells in stomach
Where does intrinsic factor bind to vitamin b12
Small intestine
Where is vitamin b12 taken up by the body
Terminal ileum
How is vitamin b12 taken up into cells
Receptor mediated endocytosis via Cubam receptor
What does vitamin b12 bind to in the blood for transport
Transcobalamin
Where is the majority of vitamin b12 stored
Liver
Vitamin b12 deficiency causes
Dietary deficiency
Lack of intrinsic factor
Disease of ileum
Lack of transcobalamin
Chemical inactivation of b12
Parasitic infestation
Intrinsic factor chelating drugs