the abnormal FBC Flashcards
what do you need to ask yourself when interpreting a FBC?
is it a blood disorder or due to another problem? is it reactive/secondary or primary/proliferative?
what is polycythaemia?
too many RBCs in the blood
What are the causes of polycythaemia?
reactive/secondary - smoking - lung disease eg COPD - cyanotic heart disease - altitude - Epo/androgen XS primary/proliferative - Polycythaemia rubra vera
What is a reactive/secondary cause?
where the body is responding to an external stimulus
What is a primary/proliferative cause?
where the body function is dysregulated of its own accord and not in response to any external stimulus
what is polychythaemia rubra vera?
a myeloproliferative disorder ie an overactive bone marrow due to an acquired genetic mutation during life
what is the clinical presentation of polycythaemia rubra vera?
plethoric appearance - ie red face thrombosis itching splenomegaly abnormal FBC
how doe we treat PRV?
aspirin to thin the blood venesection bone marrow suppressive drugs eg hydroxycarbamide
what are the causes of neutrophilia?
reactive - bacterial infection - inflammation eg - - appendicitis, trauma, RA, - Crohn’s - cancer primary/proliferative - CML
what are the causes of lymphocytosis?
reactive - viral infection - inflammation - eg sarcoidosis, heart attack, smoking - cancer proliferative - CLL
What are the causes of thrombocytosis?
reactive - infection - inflammation - malignancy primary - essential thrombocythaemia
what are the causes of neutropenia?
underproduction - marrow failure - marrow infiltration - marrow toxicity eg drugs increased removal - autoimmune - Felty’s syndrome - cyclical neutropenia
