Red Blood Cell Disorders-Usera Flashcards
What is erythropoiesis?
production of RBCs in bone marrow
What specifically stimulates EPO release?
interstitial cells in peritubular capillaries of the renal cortex
What is the stimuli for EPO release?
hypoxemia
anemia
left shift of oxygen binding curve
Which factors cause a left shift of the oxygen binding curve, that could stimulate EPO release?
higher pH
low DPG
lower temp
Which factors cause a right shift of the oxygen binding curve, that could stimulate EPO release?
lower pH
high DPG
higher temp
What does it mean when you have reticulocytes in the peripheral blood?
sign of active erythropoiesis
will see RNA fragments in there
What happens to the reticulocyte when you are anemic?
it is falsely increased
need to correct for that
Corrected Count=(Actual HCT/45) X Retic Count
If your HCT was 20% & your reticulocyte count was 15%…what would your true reticulocyte count be?
True Retic=(20/45) X 15%=6.6%
What is a normal HCT level?
45
If the true reticulocyte count is less than the measured reticulocyte count…what does that mean?
the bone marrow is working appropriately
What does it mean if the true reticulocyte count is less than 3?
the anemia is centered in the bone marrow
What is extra medullary hematopoiesis?
seen in children naturally in the liver & spleen
seen in patients with anemia…sometimes see hepatosplenomegaly & bone marrow expansion, like in the skull
Which values are measured on a CBC?
hemoglobin
HCT
RBC count
Which values are calculated on a CBC?
RBC indices
WBC count with diff
platelet count
morphology (observed–if normal, no need for a peripheral smear)
How do the hemoglobin ranges for infants compare to adults?
they are naturally higher
Which type of hemoglobin predominates in the fetus? What does this do to the oxygen binding curve?
HbF (2alpha2gamma)
shifts the OBC left
Over 6-9 mo, what happens to the HbF cells? What are they replaced by?
HbF cells are destroyed by splenic macrophages–>elevated unconjugated bilirubin–physiological jaundice
replaced by HbA (97%), HbA2 (2.5%) & HbF (1%)
How does the hemoglobin of children compare to adults? Why is this?
it is lower than in adults
b/c higher phosphorus levels increase synthesis of 2,3DPG
get right shifted oxygen binding curve (more efficient oxygen delivery-don’t need as much hemoglobin)
How does the hemoglobin level of a female compare to a male?
females have lower levels
higher Hb in male b/c of testosterone & don’t have cyclic bleeding
What is considered anemia in an adult male?
Hb<13.5 g/dL
What is considered anemia in an adults non pregnant female?
Hb<12.5 g/dL
What happens to women’s hemoglobin levels during pregnancy?
lower normal ranges during pregnancy due to increased plasma volume
dilutional effect
What is considered anemia during pregnancy?
Hb<11 g/dL
Hemoglobin electrophoresis can be used to detect what?
hemoglobinopathies
What are normal hemoglobin types & levels for an adult?
HbA 2α2ß (97% in adults)
HbA2 2α2δ (2.5% in adults)
HbF 2α2γ (1% in adults)
If you detect abnormal structure on hemoglobin electrophoresis…what does that tip you off towards?
sickle cell anemia
If you detect abnormal synthesis on hemoglobin electrophoresis…what does that tip you off towards?
thalassemias
What types of clinical findings are consistent with anemia?
Fatigue Dyspnea Concentration difficulties Dizziness Pallor Pulmonary flow murmur-if the viscosity of the blood is changed enough.
WHat is MCV? Its equation? Its usefulness?
MCV – mean corpuscular volume (Hct x 1000/RBC)
Useful for classifying anemias
Microcytic = 100 um3
What is MCHC?
MCHC – Mean corpuscular Hemoglobin content-w/I the RBC—what is the conc’n of the hemoglobin
average Hb concentration (Hb/Hct)
What is RDW?
red cell distribution width
**shows if the cells have different populations of sizes
WHich MCV qualifies you for microcytic anemia? What is your differential dx at this point?
MCV<80 iron deficiency anemia of chronic disease thalassemia (alpha or beta) sideroblastic anemia
Which MCV qualifies you for macrocytic anemia? What is your differential dx at this point?
MCV>100 folate deficiency vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency
Which MCV means that you are normocytic?
80-100
If you have a corrected reticulocyte count of less than 3%…what is your differential dx?
blood less of less than 1 week early stage iron deficiency early stage anemia chronic disease aplastic anemia-bone marrow not functioning or present renal disease malignancy
If you have a corrected reticulocyte count of more than 3% & you suspect an intrinsic RBC defect…what is your differential dx?
membrane defects: hereditary spherocytosis hereditary elliptocytosis paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria Abnormal Hemoglobins: sickle cell disease Deficient Enzymes: G6PD deficiency pyruvate kinase deficiency
If you have a corrected reticulocyte count of more than 3% & you suspect an extrinsic RBC defect…what is your differential dx?
blood loss of greater than 1 week immune hemolytic anemia micro/macroangiopathic *hemolytic anemia malaria
What does a low MCHC imply?
implies defect in Hb synthesis-like a microcytic anemia
What does a high MCHC imply?
implies spherocytosis
Describe spherocytosis.
you will see no central pallor on RBC
can’t see the biconcave shape
sphere is packed with hemoglobin
high MCHC
What does an increased RDW indicate?
2 different populations of cells
seen in iron deficiency anemia
anisocytosis–RBCs different sizes
T/F Mature RBCs lack mitochondria.
True.
This means no TCA, beta oxidation or ketone body synthesis.