Flashcards in EXAM #1: MICROCYTIC ANEMIA Deck (63)
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1
What is the most important point to remember about anemia?
Anemia is NOT a concluding diagnosis; it is a manifestation of disease
2
What is the definition of anemia?
Decreased RBC resulting in decreased oxygen carrying capacity
3
What are the common symptoms of anemia?
- Fatigue
- Dyspnea
- Weakness
4
What is the normal MCV of RBCs?
80-100 fL
5
What is the definition of microcytic anemia?
Less than 80 fl MCV
6
What is the rule of thumb for determining the size of a RBC on PBS?
- Lymphocyte nucleus
- Central pallor is roughly 1/3 of the RBC width
7
What are the hallmark features of microcytosis on PBS?
- Microcytic
- Hypochromic
8
What is a normal Hb for men?
14-17 g/dL
9
What is a normal Hb for women?
12-15 g/dL
10
What is a normal Hct in men?
42-50%
11
What is a normal Hct in women?
36-44%
12
What is the normal MCH?
Mean Corpusucular Hb
30-34pg
13
What is the normal MCHC?
Mean Corpusucular Hb Concentration
30-36%
14
What is the normal RDW?
Red Cell Distribution Width
13-15%
*****Note that the smaller the RDW, the more UNIFORM the size*****
15
What are the three causes of iron deficiency?
1) Inadequate absorption
2) Inadequate utilization
3) Excessive loss******
*****This is the most common cause
16
How much iron can be absorbed per day?
1-3mg
17
Where in the body is iron absorbed?
First and second parts of the duodenum
18
What is the difference between ferrous and ferric iron?
Fe++= ferrous
Fe+++= ferric
19
What form of iron is most efficiently absorbed?
Heme iron
20
Are plants a good source of iron?
NO
- Low in iron to begin with
- Most is Fe+++
21
What transporter is important for the absorption of Fe++?
DMT-1
Divalent Metal Transporter
22
What happens to Fe++ once it is absorbed into the enterocyte?
Binds ferretin
23
How does iron/ferretin leave the enterocyte?
Ferroportin transporter
24
How is iron transported in the blood?
Plasma transferrin i.e. carrier protein
25
What blocks the ferroportin transporter?
Hepcidin (made in the liver)
26
What is the iron cycle?
1) Iron enters the gut and into the circulation
2) Transferrin transports iron in the blood to the bone marrow
3) Bone marrow to makes RBCs
4) Old RBCs are recycled in the spleen and iron is stored
5) Iron is released back into the blood to repeat the cycle
27
What upregulates hepcidin?
IL-6
High circulating ferretin
28
What downregulates hepcidin?
Low ferretin
Hypoxia
29
What organ produces EPO? What is the function of EPO?
- Kidneys (renal fibroblasts)
- EPO stimulates erythropoiesis
30
