MEH: Anaemia, B12 and folate, Polycythaemia Flashcards
Define the term anaemia.
A condition in which there is a deficiency of red cells or of haemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and weariness.
Name some mechanisms which can result in anaemia.
- reduced erythropoiesus
- Dyserythropoiesis
- Haemoglobin abnormalities
- Vit B12 deficiency
- Folate deficiency
- Red cell membrane deficiencies
- Red cell enzyme defects
- Loss of red cells
- Removal of red cells by RES
Describe important causes of microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic anaemias.
Anaemia of chronic disease (ACD), seen in inflammatory conditions such as Rheumatoid arthritis, occurs when iron stored in macrophages is not released for use in bone marrow.
Name some common causes of a haemolytic anaemia.
- Autoimmune
- Infections
- Enlarged spleen
- Tumours
What clinical land markers are present when a patient has haemolytic anaemia?
- Increased reticulocytes (as the bone marrow attempts to compensate)
- Raised bilirubin (breakdown of haem)
- Raised LDH (red cells rich in this enzyme)
Describe the haematological investigations in patients with suspected iron deficiency.
1
Describe the haematological investigations in patients with suspected vit B12 deficiency.
1
Describe the haematological investigations in patients with suspected folate deficiency.
1
Name some common clinical features associated with iron deficiency.
1
Name some common clinical features associated with vit B12 deficiency.
1
Name some common clinical features associated with folate deficiency.
1
Describe the role and complications associated with haematinic replacement treatment.
1
Describe the clinical and haematological features of the anaemia of chronic disease.
1
Explain how the features of the anaemia of chronic disease is distinguished from iron
deficiency.
1
Explain the common haematological abnormalities that can occur in patients with non-haematological systemic diseases.
1
