Anemia

Anemia is low hemoglobin.

There is a long list of causes for anemia. Usually, anemia is grouped by RBC cell size, mean corpuscular volume (MCV).

Classifications

Anemia

Macrocytic anemia (MCV>100 fl)

Normocytic anemia (MCV 80–100 fl)

Microcytic anemia (MCV<80 fl)

Microcytic anemia

Mnemonic TAILS:

• Thalassemia.
• Anemia of chronic diesease.
• Iron deficiency anemia.
• Lead toxicity.
• Sideroblastic anemia.

Macrocytic anemia

Mnemonic Few Big RBCs May Lead To Palor:

• Folate deficiency.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Rx.
• Myelodysplastic syndromes.
• Liver disease (cirrhosis).
• Thyroid disease (hypothyroidism).
• Post-splenectomy.

Specific types of anemia

Pernicious anemia

General

• Macrocytic anemia.

Etiology:

• Autoimmune - leads to loss of parietal cells.
  • Parietal cells produce intrinsic factor (important for vitamin B12 absorption) and hydrogen chloride.

Diagnosis - serology for antibodies to:

• Parietal cell.
• Iintrinsic factor.

Microscopic

Features:

• Loss of parietal cells.

See also

• Sickle cell anemia.