5. Iron deficiency and overload Flashcards
definition of anaemia
low level of haemoglobin in the blood
WHO criteria for normal Hb levels in men and women
Men = less than 13g/dL
women = less than 12g/dL
main 3 causes of anaemia
- low RBC production
- high RBC destruction
- blood loss/haemorrhage
(in developing countries = dietry deficiency and blood loss due to parasitic infeciton)
what is 2 physiological responses to anaemia
2,3 DPG levels rise (more O2 uploaded at tissues)
cardiac output increases = hyperdynamic circulation
most common cause of anaemia
iron deficiency
examples of primary pathological state that presents as iron deficiency anaemia
stomach cancer
or internal bleeding (e.g. in uterus or GI tract)
severe ID anaemia symptoms: - angular stomatitis
lesions at corner of mouth
koilonychias
f\attening or spooning of nails
glossitis
inflammation/depapillation of the tongue
4 characteristics of blood cells on blood flim of ID anaemia
- hypochromic
- microcytic
- anisocytosis
- poikilocytosis
MCV in IDA
less than 80fl
(smaller than normal cells)
effect on transferrin when IDA
- more of it in the plasma
- but less saturated
- increased transferrin recpetor shed into plasma (NOT seen in chronic disease or thalassaemia)
effect on ferritin in IDA
low
2 main causes of iron overload
- increased iron absorption
- repeated blood transfusion
2 diseases that cause increased iron absorption
- herditary haemochromatosis
- chronic liver disease
