Haematology Flashcards
(56 cards)
when might MCV be normal in anaemia?
- normocytic anaemia
- mixed microcytic AND macrocytic anaemia
causes of microcytic anaemia?
- Fe def
- chronic disease
- thalassaemia
- sideroblastic anaemia
causes of macrocytic anaemia?
- B12 def
- folate def
- XS alcohol
- reticulocytosis
- hypothyroidism
- multiple myeloma
- myeloproliferative disorders
- myelodysplasia
- aplastic anaemia
causes of normocytic anaemia?
- chronic disease
- haemolytic anaemia
- acute blood loss
- marrow infiltration
where is iron absorbed? which form is it in when it gets absorbed?
- upper small bowel
- ferrous (Fe2+)
what are the components of an iron profile?
- serum iron
- serum TIBC
- serum ferritin
- transferrin saturation
- serum soluble transferrin receptors
describe the iron profile for someone who is iron deficient
- low serum iron
- high TIBC
- low serum ferritin
- low transferrin
- high transferrin receptors
what is the single best blood marker for iron deficiency?
- serum ferritin
- (but be careful bc it’s also an acute phase reactant)
what might cause iron overload?
- haemochromatosis
- frequent blood transfusions
describe the iron profile of someone with iron overload
- high serum iron
- high ferritin
- high transferrin
- low TIBC
describe the iron profile in anaemia of chronic disease (ACD)
- normal / low serum iron
- low TIBC
- low transferrin
- high ferritin (if inflammation)
- normal transferrin receptors
give an example of ileal disease which could lead to B12 def. how could this be diagnosed?
- small bowel bacterial overgrowth
- trialling ABx and then checking B12 levels
- hydrogen breath test
how can hereditary spherocytosis be tested for? what happens?
- osmotic fragility test
- spherocytes are fragile and breakdown more easily
how can autoimmune haemolytic anaemia be tested for? what happens?
- direct antiglobulin test (DAT) / coombs’ test
- the cells agglutinate (stick together)
how can haemolytic anaemia be classified?
- inherited
- acquired
examples of inherited causes of haemolytic anaemia?
- spherocytosis
- thalassaemia
- SCA
- G6PD
examples of acquired IMMUNE causes of haemolytic anaemia?
- autoimmune warm type
- autoimmune cold type
- transfusion reaction
- HDN
- adverse drug event
examples of acquired NON-IMMUNE causes of haemolytic anaemia?
- malaria
- hypersplenism
- burns
- mechanical heart valve
how can polycythaemia be classified?
- apparent (low blood volume making RBC look high)
- true
key cause of apparent polycythaemia?
dehydration
underlying disease which could give polycythaemia?
polycythaemia rubra vera
secondary causes of polycythaemia?
- lung disease
- chronic smoking
- high altitude environment
- renal cell carcinoma
- polycystic kidneys
- HCC
causes of neutrophilia?
- bacterial infection
- inflammation
- malignancy
- myeloproliferative disorders
- post-MI
- corticosteroid use
- renal failure
causes of neutropenia?
- post-chemo
- post-radio
- clozapine / carbimazole use
- viral infection
- felty syndrome (along with RA and splenomegaly)
