anaemia

Question 1

what are the causes of microcytic anaemia

Answer 1

• iron deficiency
• chronic illness
• genetics e.g. thalassaemia

Question 2

what are the causes of iron deficiency

Answer 2

• low dietary intake
• malabsorptions in the proximal SI
• increased demand (pregnancy)
• chronic blood loss

Question 3

what are some iron studies? and how would iron deficiency present in these

Answer 3

• serum ferritin = low
• iron saturation = low
• iron binding capacity = high
• serum iron = low

Question 4

how does chronic illnesses cause anaemia

Answer 4

as a result of inflammation, hepcidin (an important regulator in anaemia) gets up-regulated. This blocks iron transporters and prevents iron from getting into developing RBCs

Question 5

how is thalassaemia diagnosed

Answer 5

• microcytic anaemia
• abnormal red cell morphology
• haemoglobinopathy screen
  (genetic testing also)

Question 6

causes of macrocytic anaemia

Answer 6

• B12 or folate deficiency
• primary bone marrow disorder
• alcohol, liver disease, hypothyroidism

Question 7

causes of low B12

Answer 7

• diet e.g. vegans

- malabsorption eg. gastrectomy, pernicious anaemia, terminal ileum disease/resection

Question 8

causes of low folate

Answer 8

• diet e.g. lack of vegetables
• malabsorption e.g. coeliac
• increased demand in pregnancy and haemolytic anaemia

Question 9

consequences of low B12 / folate

Answer 9

impaired DNA synthesis

-may affect cell lineages if severe = pancytopenia