HEMATOLOGY Chapter 7.

RBC Life = 120 Days.

Platelet Life = 7 Days.
Anemia: Pg 203 205.
3 General causes of Anemia:
1. Decrease RBC Production.
2. Increase RBC Destruction.
3. Frank Blood Loss.
1.) What is the best initial test in the evaluation of Anemia?
1.) Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Next?
2.) Peripheral Blood Smear.
3.) Reticulocyte Count.
2.) What are the symptoms expected at the different hematocrits?
Hematocrit:
Expected Symptoms:
> 30% - 35%
None.
25% - 30%
Dyspnea (worse on exertion), Fatigue.
20% - 25%
Lightheadedness, Angina.
< 20% - 25%
Syncope, Chest Pain.
Ultimately, Cardiac Ischemia from Anemia proves Fatal. Myocytes in the Heart cannot
distinguish between:
1. Anemia
No RBC to carry O2.
2. Hypoxia
No O2 delivered.
3. Coronary Artery Disease
Stenosis & blockage of the flow of
blood.
4. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Not going to release O2 to tissue.
3.) Low Mean Corpuscular Volume mean? MCV < 80 fL.
Note: Normal MCV: 80 100 fL (fentoliters = 10-15 Liters).
Causes? (4).
1. Iron deficiency MCC of Anemia in the World Hookworms MCC in the World.
2. Thalassemia.
3. Sideroblastic Anemia Ringed sideroblasts.

4. Anemia of Chronic Disease (can be both Microcytic or Normocytic).

What is the Reticulocyte Count like?
LOW Reticulocyte Count = PRODUCTION PROBLEM.
Exception?
Alpha-thalassemia with 3 genes deleted has an ELEVATED Reticulocyte Count.