Micro Anemias Flashcards
What is anemia?
Deficiency in the number of healthy RBCs to carry sufficient oxygen to tissues or deficiency in the amount of hemoglobin carried within the red blood cells
Also characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin and/or hematocrit.
What are the two main categories of causes for anemia?
- Decreased Production
- Increased Destruction/Loss
What are some nutrient deficiencies that can lead to decreased production of RBCs?
- Iron
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
What is microcytic anemia?
Anemia characterized by RBCs that are smaller than normal size
What is the primary cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA)?
Prolonged blood loss
What is the significance of ferritin in iron deficiency anemia?
Ferritin is an intercellular protein that binds and stores iron; it depletes early in IDA.
What is the role of transferrin?
Transferrin binds and transports iron
Fill in the blank: The normal range for serum iron in males is ______.
12-31 µmol/L
True or False: Hypochromic microcytic anemia may show elliptocytes and target cells in peripheral blood film.
True
How long does it typically take for reticulocytes to appear after starting iron therapy?
Within 2 weeks
What laboratory values will normalize with iron therapy?
- MCV
- RBC
- MCH
- MCHC
May take up to 120 days.
What is sideroblastic anemia?
Ineffective iron utilization
What are the two types of sideroblastic anemia?
- Inherited
- Acquired
Acquired is more common and seen mostly later in life.
What is the most common cause of acquired sideroblastic anemia?
Alcoholism
What is refractory anemia?
Anemia not due to any known common cause of anemia
What condition is often associated with refractory anemia?
Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
What is hereditary hemochromatosis?
Impaired hepcidin leading to iron overload
What distinguishes secondary hemochromatosis from hereditary hemochromatosis?
Increased iron that exceeds available transferrin concentration
What is the role of hepcidin in iron metabolism?
Regulates iron absorption and release
What are Pappenheimer bodies?
Iron precipitate/granules
What are the clinical states of alpha thalassemia related to gene deletion?
- Bart’s hydrops fetalis
- Hgb H disease
- Alpha thalassemia trait
- Silent carrier
What is the most severe condition related to alpha thalassemia?
Bart’s hydrops fetalis
What is Beta Thalassemia Major also known as?
Cooley’s Anemia or Mediterranean Anemia
What is the common presentation of Beta Thalassemia Major in infants?
Not ill for the first 6 months
