Red Blood Cell Parameters Flashcards
What is polycythaemia?
The presence of too many red blood cells
What elements of the FBC are increased in polycythaemia relative to comparision of normal subjects of the same age and gender?
RBC, Hb and Hct
What is pseudopolycythaemia
When the blood plasma volume is reduced so it appears as though there is more red cells in a sample
What are the four causes of polycytheamia?
Blood doping / overtransfusion
Appropriately increased erythropoietin e.g. from hypoxia
Inappropriately increased erythropoietin synthesis / use- e.g. from renal tumour secretions
Independent of erythropoietin- polycythaemia Vera - bone marrow disorder leading to hyper viscosity
In what situations might you expect to find a raised erythropoietin level?
Eg as a result of hypoxia due to high altitudes
What are two causes of inappropriate erythropoietin use / synthesis?
Blood doping for a competitive advantage
Kidney tumour secreting too much erythropoietin
What is the name of the condition given to polycythaemia which arises from inappropriately increased erythropoietin?
Polycythaemia vera
Why is polycythaemia a myeloproliferative disorder?
It refers to the proliferation of any of the myeloid cell lineages - in this case it is increased erythropoiesis
How can polycythaemia be treated?
Drugs given to reduce the bone marrow production of cells
Why is polycytheamia treated with a venesection?
Polycythaemia can lead to thick blood, which is known as hyperviscosity which leads to vascular obstruction and blood vessel thrombosis - therefore removal of some blood can help reduce the viscosity
Why might a patient with an abdominal mass have raised Hb concentration?
Kidney tumour - inappropriate erythropoietin secretion
Why might a patient have breathlessness?
hypoxia leading to appropriately increased erythropoietin
Why might a young healthy athlete have raised Hb concentration?
Blood doping or inapporpriate erythropoietin use
What is anaemia?
Anaemia is a reduction in the amount of haemoglobin in a given volume of blood below what would be expected in comparison with a healthy subject of the same age and gender
Why might athletes participate in blood doping?
To increase their blood binding capacity