Microcytic Anaemia

Question 1

Haemoglobin values for ANAEMIA in male and female?

Answer 1

Male: <135 g/l (13.5g/dl)
Women: <115g/l (11.5g/dl)

Question 2

What causes microcytic anaemia?

Answer 2

Decreased haemoglobin production!

Question 3

What are the microcytic anaemias?

Answer 3

Iron deficiency anaemia
Anaemia of chronic disease
Sideroblastic anaemia
Thalassaemia

Question 4

Iron study results for iron deficiency?

Answer 4

Serum iron decreased
TIBC increased
Ferritin decreased

Question 5

Iron study results for anaemia of chronic disease?

Answer 5

Serum iron decreased
TIBC decreased
Ferritin increased

Question 6

Which condition is characterised by iron trapped in the mitochondria due to defective protoporphyrin synthesis?

Answer 6

Sideroblastic anemia

Question 7

Key feature seen in sideroblastic anemia?

Answer 7

Ringed sideroblasts (erythroid precursors with iron deposited in mitochondria in a ring around the nucleus)

Question 8

Rate limiting step in protoporphyrin production?

Answer 8

ALAS converts succinyl CoA to ALA using vitamin b6 as a co factor.
Congenital defect with ALAS enzyme can cause sideroblastic anaemia

Question 9

Acquired causes of sideroblastic anaemia?

Answer 9

Alcoholism- mitochondrial poison
Lead poisoning
Vitamin b6 deficiency- required cofactor for ALAS
Myelodysplastic syndrome

Question 10

Iron study findings for sideroblastic anemia?

Answer 10

Increased serum iron
TIBC normal
Ferritin Increased