Normocytic anemia Flashcards
An anemia with normal sized RBCs (80-100 um3 MCV)…
Normocytic anemia
What are the 2 causes of normocytic anemia?
Increased peripheral destruction or underproduction
Found on blood smear as larger cells with bluish cytoplasm that allow a distinguish between increased peripheral destruction or underproduction of RBCs seen with normocytic anemia…
Reticulocytes
What is the normal reticulocyte count?
1-2%
Why is reticulocyte count falsely elevated in anemia?
RC is measured as % of total RBCs—so decreased total RBCs is going to falsely increase % of reticulocytes
How is reticulocyte count corrected with anemia?
By multiplying reticulocyte count by HCT/45
A corrected RC >3% is an indication of what?
A good marrow response –suggesting peripheral destruction
A corrected RC
A poor marrow response—suggesting underproduction
What are the two types of hemolysis (peripheral RBC destruction)?
Extravascular
Intravascular
Hemolysis that involves the destruction of RBCs by the reticuloendothelial system (macrophages of spleen, liver, and lymph nodes)?
Extravascular
What is globin broken down into?
Amino acids
What two products is heme broken down into?
Iron
Protoporphyrin
What is protoporphyrin broken down into?
Unconjugated bilirubin
What carries unconjugated bilirubin to the liver to become conjugated and excreted into the bile?
Albumin
What are the clinical and laboratory findings seen with extravascular hemolysis?
Anemia with splenomegaly
Jaundice—unconjugated bilirubin
Increased risk of gallstones
Marrow hyperplasia
