RBCS Flashcards
Mentzer index
Metric to distinguish thalassemias from IDA
MCV / RBC ; if <13, likely thalassemia
Calculations: HCT, MCH, MCHC
HCT: RBC*MCV
MCH: HGB/RBC
MCHC: HGB/HCT
Iron deficiency anemia
Elevated transferrin and TIBC (most sensitive marker)
Decreased ferritin (in later disease)
Decreased %sat
Anemia of chronic disease
Decreased transferrin and TIBC
Increased ferritin
Sideroblastic anemia
Causes: Alcohol, toxins, abnormalities of ALA-S. MDS
High iron, ferritin due to failure of incorporation
Elevated ZPP?
Megaloblastic anemias - Causes
B12 deficiency - More common, especially in pernicious anemia (parietal cell antibodies sensitive, IF antibodies specific)
Folate deficiency - Quite rare due to widespread supplementation
Megaloblastic anemias - Labs
Elevated homocysteine
Elevated methylmalonic acid (B12 only)
Low serum or RBC folate (folate only)
Schiling test: Oral + Injected»_space; Replace IF, then enzymes, then Abx.
Hereditary spherocytosis
Ankyrine mutations
Increased osmotic fragility
Hereditary elliptocytosis
Spectrin, band 4.1 mutations.
Increased osmotic fragility
Stomatocytes - Causes
Rh null
Defect of Na/K transporter
Liver, renal disease
G6PD deficiency
XLD, associated with heinz (Hb) bodies, bite cells.
Allele variants: B (normal), A (diseased)
Dx: Fluoro spot test, G6PD enzyme levels
Pyruvate kinase deficiency
1 glycolytic pathway defect (still rare). AutRec
Numerous echinocytes. Elevated NADH, 2,3-DPG
Acanthocytes
Associated with McLeod, abetalipoproteinemia
Alkaline hemoglobin gel electrophoresis
Pattern: CSFA+ (pH 8.5)
C band: A2CEO
S band: SDG, Lepore?
HbH fast, constant spring slow
Acid gel electrophoresis
Pattern: CSAF- (pH6.0)
SCD testing
Metabisulfite test: Add reagent, examine microscopically for sickle cells.
Dithionate solubility: Add reagent to a HEMOLYSATE, observe turbidity due to tactoid body formation.
*also picks up HbC-Harlem