Blood/Microcytic Anemias
From IKE
< Blood
Objectives
Given a patient with anemia, the students will be able to:
- Classify and differentiate the various types of anemia based on screening laboratory tests and explain the pathophysiology involved
- Discuss additional investigations and expected results required to differentiate the various anemias and the rationale for each test
- Describe the management of the anemia and explain the rationale of each therapeutic manoeuvre
Specifically:
- List and classify the common forms of microcytic anemias and describe the pathophysiologic mechanisms for their development
- Describe the history, physical findings and investigations required to differentiate iron deficiencies from other causes of microcytic anemia
Exam
- Anemia: Hemoglobin < Normal for the laboratory (135 g/L for men, 115 g/L for women)
- Microcytic: MCV <79fL in an untransfused person (transfused cells can give a false normal value for the MCV)
