Pathophysiology of Anemia Flashcards
A pregnant woman may present with what type of anemia?
Relative anemia due to hemodilution
How is Thalassemia treated?
Transfusions with regular RBCs
What will the total iron binding capacity be in the case of chronic microcytic anemia?
Decreased due to iron sequestration
What are the four major causes of macrocytic anemia?
Chronic alcohol consumption, drug interactions, nutrition deficiency, reticulocytosis
How does the body compensate during chronic anemia?
Increases CO, changes blood distribution, greater O2 extraction
Microcytic anemia is most associated with what clinical causes?
Disorders of Fe metabolism & disorders or heme/globin synthesis
What are the general causes of iron deficiency anemia?
Blood loss, poor intestinal absorption, dietary issues
What is the clinical presentation of anemia due to blood loss?
Normocytic, normochromatic
Acute hemorrhage is a form of what type of anemia?
Absolute anemia - equal loss of both RBC mass and plasma volume
What are the general signs of anemia?
Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, dyspnea, pallor, tachypnea, tachycardia
How can sickle cell anemia be treated?
Hydroxyurea to increase HbF production, simple transfusion, exchange transfusion, vaccinations and antibiotics to protect against infections due to autosplenectomy
Macrocytic anemia due to (folate/B12) deficiency is more common.
Folate deficiency
A patient is diagnosed with microcytic anemia due to iron deficiency. What will be the results of iron studies?
Serum Iron - Decreased
TIBC - Increased
Serum Transferrin - Increased
Bone Marrow Storage - Decreased
What do serum iron tests measure?
Measures Fe3+ bound to transferrin in serum
True/False. RBC count is generally increased in patients with Thalassemia.
True - the body is trying to compensate for deficient Hb synthesis
A patient presents with microcytic anemia. They are started on iron therapy, but see no improvement. What is the likely cause?
Anemia of chronic disease due to iron sequestration in macrophages
Vaso-occlusive crises and chronic pain are associated with what anemic disorder?
Sickle cell anemia
What are reticulocytes?
Immature RBCs
What does transferrin measure?
Total transferrin in plasma
What test provides the most accurate measure of total body iron?
Total iron binding capacity - measures percentage of transferrin bound to iron
What is the difference between relative and absolute anemia?
Relative anemia is a normal RBC mass, but an increase in plasma volume. Absolute anemia is an actual decrease in RBC mass
What cardiac symptoms are associated with severe anemia presentation?
Chest pain, angina, heart attack
What causes are associated with microcytic, hypochromatic anemia?
Fe deficiency, Thalassemia, anemia of chronic disease
How do sickle cell and thalassemia differ?
Sickle cell results in abnormal Hb. Thalassemia is reduced rate of Hb synthesis
What test correlates with iron stores in the body?
Serum ferritin
What are the 5 general causes of anemia?
Blood loss, RBC destruction, decreased RBC production, survival defects, sequestration
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?
Fatigue, lethargy, fragile nails, glossitis, cheilitis, pica, tachycardia
True/False. A patient with anemia may present with jaundice.
True. Anemia may cause an increase in bilirubin and thus jaundice
How can folate and B12 deficiency anemia be differentiated?
In B12 deficiency, only serum methylmalonic acid will be increased. With folate deficiency, homocysteine and MMA will be increased
