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Flashcards in Iron Deck (15)
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1
Q

State where iron is when it’s active.

A

Haemoglobin, myoglobin and enzyme systems e.g. cytochromes.

2
Q

State the stores of iron

A

Ferritin (soluble), mainly in the liver

Haemosiderin in macrophages

3
Q

Describe the difference between haem and non-haem iron.

A

Haem - best absorbed by the gut. Mostly found in meats. Ferrous iron (Fe2+)

Non-haem - mostly in veg/grains. Ferrick iron (Fe3+). Reduced to Fe2+ before transportation across the gut epithelium.

4
Q

What receptor in enterocytes allows iron to be transported into the blood?

A

Ferroportin

5
Q

What protein does iron bind to in blood for transport?

A

Transferrin

6
Q

What vitamin increases absorption of iron?

A

C

7
Q

What substances can decrease absorption of iron?

A

Tea, chapatis, antacids

8
Q

How do red blood cells take up iron?

A

Iron-transferrin complex binds to transferrin receptor

9
Q

What does iron absorption depend on?

A

Diet, stores and erythropoiesis

10
Q

Describe the function of hepcidin and where it is produced.

A

Liver.
Prevents iron release from macrophages and degrades ferroportin.
Synthesis is increased in iron overload.
Synthesis decreased by high erthropoietic activity.

11
Q

Describe functional iron deficiency

A

Have plenty of iron in the body but is trapped in stored.

12
Q

Describe the most common cause of anaemia of chronic disease

A

High hepcidin due to inflammatory cytokines

13
Q

Give some symptoms of anaemia.

A

Tired all the time, lethargy, pallor, decreased exercise tolerance, heart failure, palpatations, shortness of breath.
Can cause oesophageal webs and spoon-shaped nails when far progressed.

14
Q

Give the results of blood tests that you would have if you were diagnosing someone with anaemia.

A

Low mean cell volume due to small RBC
Microcytic, hypochromia, pencil cells
Low serum ferritin/iron/percentage transferrin

15
Q

Describe symptoms of haemochromatosis

A

Cirrosis, liver failure, diabetes hypogonadism, cardiomyopathy, arthropathy, skin pigmentation. Depends on deposition.