RBC Flashcards
Where are RBC formed?
Bone Marrow, they mature in the bone marrow.
What is the term for the process of formation of RBC?
Erythropoesis
What is the lifespan of a mature RBC
120 days
What is the most common factor that triggers increased production of RBC?
Decrease in O2
Low tissue O2 levels trigger endothelial cells in the kidneys to secrete erythropoietin, with stimulates bone marrow and red cell production.
What is Anemia?
Decrease in number of RBC, Hgb, or Hct OR a decrease in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
What is a normal RBC level?
4.1-5.1 m/mm3
What is a normal Hgb level?
12-16 g/dl
What is a normal Hct Level?
36-46%
What does MCV stand for?
Mean Corpuscular Volume- this allows us to further classify the type of anemia to further determine the eitology.
When discussing Mean Corpuscular Value MCV what are the Normocytic normal ranges?
80-100
When discussing Mean Corpuscular Value MCV what is the microcytic range?
<80 (defect in hgb synthesis)
When discussing Mean Corpuscular Value MCV what is the macrocytic range?
> 100
What are immature RBC called?
Reticulocytes
Mature RBC are smaller in size than immature RBC
What is the ratio of hgb to hct?
1:3, for every one hgb, three % of hct
What does the MCV tell us about?
It is telling us about the size of the RBC in circulation so we can narrow our differential diagnosis
What does MCHC stand for?
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration
What is MCHC?
Average concentration of hemoglobin in RBC. (Much more helpful than MCV) Provides us with information of color of the cell.
With MCHC what is Normochromic ranges?
32-37
With MCHC what is Hypochromic range?
<32
True/False Microcytic is always hypochromic?
True, MCV low- MCHC is always going to be low.
True/False Macrocytic is always normochromic?
True
What are the types of Macrocytic/Normochromic Anemias? Two main types
Increased MCV/Normal MCHC
- Vit B12 deficiency
- Folate deficiency
- Hypothyroidism
- Myelodysplastic process
What is another name for Vit B12 deficiency?
Pernicious Anemia- autoimmune destruction that allow for the production of B12, more common in women over the age of 50-60.
What are some causes of Normocytic/Normochromic anemias?
Normal MCV, Normal MCHC
Anemia of Chronic Disease (liver disease, kidney disease, lupus, RA, AK, inflmmatory autoimmune conditions, cancer, HIV
Acute Blood Loss
Early iron deficiency