My notes for Microcytic anemia

Microcytic => IRON studies. Look at IRON => Then Look at TIBC&Ferritin

1.       Low ironmicrocytic anemia =

a.       Iron deficiency:  

                                                               i.      Labs:

1.       Low Serum Fe

2.       High TIBC

3.       Low Ferritin levels are generally accepted as reliable single indicators of the presence of iron deficiency.

                                                             ii.      Interpretation: The liver produces a lot of TIBC trying to maximize little Fe that is available. Not enuf Fe to store in Ferritin (Low ferritin). The body tries to produce lots of TIBC/transferritin to absorb all little Fe there is to absorb.

                                                           iii.      Dx: Low iron deficiency

                                                           iv.      Tx: here’s the iron pill, have a nice day!

b.       Chronic disease anemia:

                                                               i.      Labs:

1.       Low serum Fe

2.       Low TIBC

3.       High Ferritin

                                                             ii.      Interpretation: The body holds Fe intracellularly via Ferritin to keep Fe away from offending tumor/bacteria. The body produces more Ferritin in order to store and keep all Fe there is that is required for the synthesis of offending organism or tumor as they use Fe for their pathosynthetic disease.

                                                           iii.      Dx: chronic disease anemia

                                                           iv.      Tx: address underlying causes.

2.       Normal iron microcytic anemia

a.       Labs:

                                                               i.      Normal Fe

                                                             ii.      High TIBC

b.       Interpretation:

                                                               i.       Normal Serum Fe => there’s sth happening that the body is n

c.       Dx: do Hgb electrophoresis to r/o thalassemia (genetically abnormal Hgb), do BMP, pregnancy or use of hormonal contraception

~Qt