Anemia Overview and Types

Study Notes

Characterized by decreased hemoglobin concentration or reduced red blood cell volume.
Can be caused by inadequate red blood cell production, defective red blood cells, excessive loss, and destruction of red blood cells.

Not a single disease, but a sign and a consequence.
Etiology and pathogenesis of anemia can be understood through the hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count.

Microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic.
Reticulocyte count provides information about red blood cell production and the red blood cell capacity in the bone marrow.

The most common cause of microcytic anemia.
Can be caused by inadequate intake, increased demand, and excessive chronic blood loss such as heavy menstrual bleeding or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding.

Inadequate iron intake
Increased demand for iron due to conditions such as pregnancy, rapid growth, or blood donation.

Total iron content of a normal human body is approximately 4000mg.
Distribution:
- 65% of iron is incorporated in red blood cells as hemoglobin.
- 15% of iron is found in myoglobin of the muscle and cellular respiratory enzymes.
- Less than 1% of iron is present as ferritin or bound to transferrin.
- 20% of iron is stored in the bone marrow, spleen, and liver.
Iron is excreted through urine, bile, feces, and desquamation of skin cells, equal to the amount absorbed by the body.

Serum iron: normal range is 50 to 150 μg/dL (measures iron bound to transferrin)
Ferritin: normal range is 30 to 300 ng/mL (measures additional iron stores)
Ferritin concentration is a sensitive indicator of total iron stores, particularly serum ferritin levels.

Characterized by decreased hemoglobin concentration or reduced red blood cell volume.
Causes include inadequate red blood cell production, defective red blood cells, and excessive loss and destruction of red blood cells.
Not a single disease but a sign or consequence of an underlying issue.
Etiology and pathogenesis of anemia include factors affecting hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count.

Microcytic: Small red blood cells.
Normocytic: Normal size red blood cells
Macrocytic: Large red blood cells.
Reticulocyte count helps determine red blood cell production and the capacity of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Most common cause of microcytic anemia.
Caused by inadequate intake, increased demand, or excessive chronic blood loss.
Examples of chronic blood loss include heavy menstrual bleeding and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding.

Normal human body contains approximately 4000 mg of iron.
Distribution:
- 65% in red blood cells incorporated in hemoglobin.
- 15% in myoglobin of the muscle and cellular respiratory enzymes.
- Less than 1% in ferritin or bound to transferrin.
- 20% in the macrophages of the bone marrow, spleen, and liver, and in extracellular connective tissue of the bone marrow.
Iron excretion occurs through urine, bile, feces, and desquamation of skin cells, balancing the amount absorbed.