Anaemia Flashcards
(16 cards)
What are the typical iron study findings in iron deficiency anaemia?
Low serum ferritin, low serum iron, high TIBC, low transferrin saturation.
What is the most common cause of microcytic anaemia worldwide?
Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA)
What causes microcytic anaemia with normal iron studies, especially in people from the Mediterranean region?
Thalassaemia (defective globin synthesis)
What type of anaemia is common in rheumatoid arthritis?
Anaemia of chronic disease (normocytic, sometimes microcytic)
What key hormone regulates iron absorption and release from stores?
Hepcidin (increase hepcidin= inhibits ferroportin= DECREASE IRON)
e.g. in Rheumatoid arthritis theres more hepcidin= inhibits ferroportin= low serum iron
What is the difference between megaloblastic and non-megaloblastic macrocytic anaemia?
Megaloblastic: impaired DNA synthesis → large immature megaloblasts (e.g. B12/folate deficiency).
Non-megaloblastic: macrocytosis without impaired DNA synthesis (e.g. alcoholism, liver disease).
Name two main causes of megaloblastic anaemia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency.
Which anaemia is common in pregnancy due to plasma volume increase?
Anaemia of pregnancy (physiological haemodilution, usually normocytic)
What blood film finding is typical in lead poisoning causing microcytic anaemia?
Basophilic stippling
What differentiates vitamin B12 deficiency from folate deficiency clinically?
B12 deficiency causes neurological symptoms; folate deficiency does not.
Which anaemia is associated with increased reticulocytes, jaundice, and splenomegaly?
Haemolytic anaemia (normocytic)
What is the typical blood test pattern in anaemia of chronic disease (e.g. in RA)
Low serum iron, normal or high ferritin, low TIBC
What kind of anaemia does lead poisoning cause?
Microcytic anaemia
What is hepcidin’s role in anaemia of chronic disease?
Hepcidin is increased, trapping iron in macrophages and reducing iron absorption.
Anaemia seen in Alcoholism
non-megaloblastic macrocytic anaemia
Mechanism: marrow toxicity and nutritional deficiency
Bloods: ↑ MCV, normal B12/folate
Common, especially with liver disease
Anaemia seen in Liver Disease and Hypothyroidism
Non-megaloblastic macrocytic
Symptoms: Jaundice, fatigue, other signs of liver failure or hypothyroidism
Diagnostics:
↑ MCV
Blood film: macrocytosis without hypersegmented neutrophils
Abnormal LFTs or TFTs
