Anemia Lecture Review

Practice flashcards covering the types, diagnosis, symptoms, and pharmacological treatments for various forms of anemia, including iron deficiency, macrocytic, and anemia of chronic disease.

Anemia

A common blood disorder defined by low red blood cells, hematocrit, and/or hemoglobin, resulting in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.

Microcytic Anemia

A classification of anemia characterized by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) $< 80\,fL$, most commonly caused by iron deficiency.

Normocytic Anemia

A classification of anemia characterized by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) between $80-100\,fL$, often caused by acute blood loss, hemolysis, or anemia of chronic disease (e.g., CKD).

Macrocytic Anemia

A classification of anemia characterized by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) $> 100\,fL$, commonly caused by vitamin $B_{12}$ or folate deficiency.

Glossitis

An inflamed, sore, and smooth tongue that can occur in iron deficiency anemia due to decreased oxygen delivery to the tongue surface.

Koilonychia

Spoon-shaped nails, a physical sign associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Pica

A symptom of iron deficiency anemia characterized by craving and eating nonfood substances such as ice or clay.

Ferritin

A laboratory test that measures the body's iron stores; levels are typically low in iron deficiency anemia.

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)

A laboratory test that measures the amount of transferrin available to bind to iron; levels are elevated in iron deficiency anemia.

Transferrin Saturation (TSAT)

The percentage of transferrin that is bound to iron; levels are typically low in iron deficiency anemia.

Chelation

A process where iron (a polyvalent cation) binds to select drugs (e.g., doxycycline, fluoroquinolones, bisphosphonates, levothyroxine) to form nonabsorbable complexes in the gastrointestinal tract.

Deferoxamine (Desferal)

The antidote for moderate-to-severe iron toxicity; it acts by chelating free ferric ions to enhance renal excretion.

Cyanocobalamin

Also known as vitamin $B_{12}$, this nutrient is essential for DNA synthesis during the production of reticulocytes.

Nascobal

A nasal spray formulation of cyanocobalamin ($B_{12}$) administered in one nostril once weekly.

Pernicious Anemia

An autoimmune condition caused by a lack of functioning intrinsic factor, leading to vitamin $B_{12}$ macrocytic anemia.

Erythropoietin

A hormone produced in the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs)

Drugs such as epoetin alfa (Procrit, Epogen) and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) that increase red blood cell production; they are contraindicated in curable cancers.

Aranesp

The brand name for darbepoetin, an ESA that has a half-life 3-fold longer than Epogen or Procrit.

Hemolytic Anemia

Anemia caused by the destruction of red blood cells, which can be identified by a positive Coombs test and symptoms such as jaundice.

Oral Iron Administration

Should be taken on an empty stomach and separately from antacids, H2RAs, or PPIs, as an acidic environment (e.g., with vitamin C) enhances absorption.

Oral Iron Dose

The recommended treatment for iron deficiency anemia is one tablet once daily or every other day.