Reduction in the total number of erythrocytes in the circulating blood or in the quality or quantity of hemoglobin
Anemia
What are possible causes of anemia?
- Impaired erythrocyte production
- Acute or chronic blood loss
- Increased erythrocyte destruction
- Combination of the above
How are anemias classified?
1) According to size
2) According to cause
This type of anemia is also termed megaloblastic anemia that are characterized by larger RBCs w/normal levels of hemoglobin.
Normochromic-Macrocytic Anemias
- (MCV>100)
What is Normochromic-Macrocytic anemia most commonly caused by?
- Defective DNA synthesis: Deficiency of VB12 (PA) or folate (-PA = Pernicious Anemia)
- Ribonucleic acid (RNA) processes occur at a normal rate: Results in unequal growth of the nucleus and cytoplasm
What is pernicious anemia/B12 deficiency caused by?
Caused by a lack of intrinsic factor from the gastric parietal cells…Required for vitamin B12 absorption
Abnormal size of RBCs?
Anisocytosis
Abnormal shape of RBCs?
Poikilocytosis
Pyridoxine
Vitamin B6
Characterized by red cells that are relatively normal in size and hemoglobin content but insufficient in number
Normochromic-Normocytic Anemias
- Classified as nonhemolytic vs. hemolytic
- Further classified by cause and location
A reduction or absence of all three blood cell types.
pancytopenia (RBC, WBC, & Platelets)
