Week 1- anaemia tutorial

Question 1

What is the 1st and 2nd line treatment for iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 1

Iron supplementation - ferrous fumerate is 1st line

Ferrous sulphate- 2nd line.

Question 2

What are the side effects of iron supplementation?

Answer 2

Constipation
Dark stools
Nausea

Question 3

NOTE- iron tablets should be taken on an empty stomach as they will be absorbed better.

Answer 3

:)

Question 4

What is the treatment for pernicious anaemia? Are there any other options?

Answer 4

Treatment is IM B12 injection.

Could try high dose oral B12 but very expensive and not licensed.

Question 5

Why is B12 needed?

Answer 5

To convert homocysteine to methionine which is required for DNA synthesis.

Question 6

How would you diagnose pernicious anaemia?

Answer 6

Measure autoantibodies
Anti-intrinsic factor-specific, not sensitive.
Anti gastric parietal cell antibodies- very sensitive but not specific