MLT 251 - Anemia Intro OBJs

Familiarize yourself with more hematology concepts.

Define anemia.

Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to diminished oxygen transport to the body's tissues.

Distinguish true from functional anemia.

True anemia is a decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin levels, while functional anemia occurs when red blood cells are normocytic normochromic but ineffective due to various factors.

Give examples of true and functional anemias.

True anemias include iron deficiency anemia and aplastic anemia, while functional anemias include anemia of chronic disease and anemia due to renal failure.

Define pO₂ in relation to hemoglobin function.

pO₂ refers to the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood, which affects the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin and its ability to transport oxygen effectively.

Explain the general relationship between pO₂ and hemoglobin saturation of oxygen.

As pO₂ increases, hemoglobin saturation with oxygen also increases, promoting efficient oxygen transport in the bloodstream.

Describe and explain the significance of the shape of a normal oxygen dissociation curve.

The oxygen dissociation curve is sigmoidal, indicating that hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen increases as more oxygen molecules bind. This shape allows for efficient oxygen loading in the lungs and unloading in tissues, adapting to varying pO₂ levels.

Define 'shift-to-the-left' and 'shift-to-the-right' in regards to the oxygen dissociation curve.

A 'shift-to-the-left' indicates increased affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, resulting from lower temperatures, higher pH, or decreased CO2 levels, meaning more oxygen is bound at lower pO2 levels.

Conversely, a 'shift-to-the-right' suggests decreased affinity due to higher temperatures, lower pH, or increased CO2 levels, allowing more oxygen to be released at higher pO2.

List and explain causes for each type of shift and describe how each influences oxygen release from the hemoglobin molecule.

Causes for a 'shift-to-the-left' include lower temperatures, higher pH, and decreased CO2 levels, leading to increased hemoglobin affinity for oxygen.

Conversely, a 'shift-to-the-right' can be caused by higher temperatures, lower pH, or increased CO2 levels, resulting in decreased affinity and enhanced oxygen release.

List the main classes of anemia according to the morphologic classification.

The main classes of anemia according to morphologic classification are microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic. Each class is defined by the size and appearance of red blood cells, which help diagnose the underlying causes.

List the main classes of anemia according to the etiologic classification.

Iron deficiency, aplastic, hemolytic, and macrocytic anemias.

Classify anemias according to the morphologic classification.

Anemias classified by morphology include microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic types, based on red blood cell size and shape, which aids in identifying their causes.

Explain which hematologic results are necessary to diagnose anemia.

A complete blood count (CBC) is necessary to diagnose anemia, including measurements of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell indices. Additional tests may be performed to identify the specific type and cause of anemia.

Define normocytic anemia, macrocytic anemia and microcytic anemia in relation to hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell count.

Normocytic anemia presents with normal red blood cell size and shape, but low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.

Macrocytic anemia is characterized by larger-than-normal red blood cells and low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, often linked to vitamin deficiencies.

Microcytic anemia is characterized by smaller-than-normal red blood cells, typically associated with low hemoglobin and hematocrit, and is commonly due to iron deficiency.

List signs and symptoms of anemia.

Common signs and symptoms of anemia include fatigue, weakness, pallor, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Additional symptoms may include cold hands and feet, irregular heartbeats, and brittle nails, depending on the severity and underlying cause.

Name anemias that present microcytic hypochromic morphology.

Iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia, anemia of chronic disease

Describe the main characteristics of microcytic hypochromic anemias in terms of laboratory findings.

Microcytic hypochromic anemias are characterized by small, pale red blood cells, low hemoglobin levels, decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and low mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Laboratory findings typically show reduced ferritin levels, leading to an iron deficiency diagnosis.

Briefly describe the iron cycle from dietary intake to incorporation into hemoglobin.

The iron cycle involves dietary intake of iron, its absorption in the intestines, transport in the bloodstream via transferrin, storage in the liver as ferritin, and finally incorporation into hemoglobin in developing red blood cells.

List the tests included in an iron panel and what each represents.

An iron panel includes serum iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation.

Serum iron measures the amount of circulating iron; ferritin reflects stored iron; TIBC indicates the blood's capacity to bind iron; and transferrin saturation shows the percentage of transferrin that is bound with iron.

Explain how iron laboratory tests are used to help distinguished the 4 main types of microcytic hypochromic anemias.

Iron laboratory tests help differentiate the four main types of microcytic hypochromic anemias: iron deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic disease, thalassemia, and sideroblastic anemia by evaluating serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), enabling targeted diagnosis and treatment.

Describe the main characteristics of macrocytic normochromic anemias in terms of laboratory findings.

Macrocytic normochromic anemias are characterized by elevated mean corpuscular volume (MCV), normal mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and decreased red blood cell count. Common causes include vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, reflected in low serum levels of these vitamins.

Name anemias that present macrocytic normochromic morphology.

Macrocytic normochromic anemias include vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, folate deficiency anemia, and certain bone marrow disorders.

Differentiate megaloblastic from non-megaloblastic anemias.

Megaloblastic anemias are characterized by impaired DNA synthesis due to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, leading to the presence of large, abnormal red blood cells, while non-megaloblastic anemias do not show these features and include conditions like liver disease or hypothyroidism.

Briefly explain the causes for each of the macrocytic normochromic anemias.

Megaloblastic anemias are caused by deficiencies of vitamin B12 or folate, leading to impaired DNA synthesis, while non-megaloblastic anemias can result from liver disease, alcohol abuse, or hypothyroidism and do not involve impaired DNA synthesis.

Differentiate pernicious anemia from other megaloblastic anemias.

Pernicious anemia is a specific type of megaloblastic anemia caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 due to intrinsic factor deficiency, while other megaloblastic anemias are primarily due to dietary deficiencies or malabsorption of vitamin B12 or folate.

Describe the main characteristics of normocytic normochromic anemias in terms of laboratory findings.

Normocytic normochromic anemias are characterized by red blood cells that are normal in size and hemoglobin content, typically with a normal mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), indicating that the bone marrow is producing adequate red blood cells despite the anemia.

Name anemias that present normocytic normochromic morphology.

Anemias such as anemia of chronic disease, aplastic anemia, and hemolytic anemia exhibit normocytic normochromic morphology.

Briefly explain the causes for each of the normocytic normochromic anemias.

Common causes include acute blood loss, chronic disease, and renal failure, leading to reduced erythropoietin production. Additionally, hemolysis may also result in normocytic normochromic morphology.

Given CBC results diagnose anemia and determine its morphologic classification.

Diagnosis of anemia involves evaluating complete blood count (CBC) results, focusing on parameters such as hemoglobin levels, red blood cell size (MCV), and morphology to classify the type of anemia, including microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic.

Correlate morphologic classification of anemia with microscopic morphology.

This involves examining red blood cell morphology under a microscope to classify anemia as microcytic, macrocytic, or normocytic based on collective observations.