1. Clinical Approaches to Anemia Presented by: Cheryl Morrow MD

2. American Society of Hematology
I would like to acknowlege and thank the
American Society of Hematology
for granting permission
to use their educational slides to illustrate this lecture.
You will be able to access all of the images
that I will be using by going directly to the
ASH Image
And type in the Slide number.

3. Happy Birthday, Ernest!

4. Anemia: Course Objectives
At the end of the program, the participant will be able to:
Name the common physiological responses and symptoms that occur in anemia
Name the laboratory tests that should be ordered to determine the degree of severity and type (etiology) of anemia with which a given patient is presenting.
List the likely cause(s) of anemia when provided the results of the patient’s laboratory tests for anemia
Based on an understanding of anemia etiology, name one recommended treatment option for each of the following anemia types: nutritional deficiency, CKD, blood loss anemia, autoimmune anemia, anemia due to bone marrow failure.

5. Anemia – So why do we care ?
Oxygen: the most essential element of human life - critical for:
Cellular respiration, growth and repair
Vital organ function: brain, heart, lung, kidneys, liver, nervous
Quality of life: movement, communication, senses, perceptions
Oxygen is critical but dumb ! (I’m a dumb ox) - it doesn’t know where it needs to go, how to get there, nor how many of the crew are needed to get the job done at each location.
Hemoglobin has the esteemed jobs of both escorting and managing the entire crew of available oxygen molecules

7. Hemoglobin the Super Hero:
The Proper Functioning of Hemoglobin requires:
adequate numbers (inadequate = anemia)
healthy molecules (Sickly = Hb S, C, thalassemia)
in a healthy environment (Sick = oxygen; CO )

8. Oxygen-Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve
100% ___________________________________________________________
% oxygen dropped off
% oxygen dropped off
% Sat.
% oxygen dropped off
0%___ 50
PaO2 mmHg
Left Shift: temp,
pH, CO2, Hb F
Right Shift: temp, pH, CO2

9. Functional definition of anemia:
inadequacy of one’s hemoglobin, or the red blood cells that contain the hemoglobin, to transport and deliver adequate oxygen supplies to the tissues where it is needed.
Technical definition of anemia:
Males: hemoglobin < 14 g/dl; hematocrit < 40 %
Females: hemoglobin < 12 g/dl; hematocrit < 37%

10. Sx’s of Anemia = Sx’s of Hypoxemia
Tired, Sleeping more
Loss of energy, weakness
Pale skin
Easy Fatigue
Tachycardia, esp. with exertion
New onset AF
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Headache
Confusion, poor concentration
Angina

11. Go to ASH Website and select slide 3632

12. Index Full Name What’s measured Normal Range MCH MCHC RDW Think
The RBC indices tell us about the Red Cell Physical Characteristics, and hemoglobin content:
Index
Full
Name
What’s
measured
Normal
Range
MCV
Mean
Corpuscular
Volume
Average
Red blood cell
Size
80-100
Femtoliters
MCH
Hemoglobin
Average amount of Hb
in each RBC
27-31
Picograms/
cell
MCHC
Mean Corpuscular
Concentration
Hb density:
Is it compacted
or spread out?
32-36
Grams/
deciliter
RDW
Red Blood Cell
Distribution
Width
Variations in
RBC size %
Think

13. Low make, High take, Mistake !
So let’s talk about anemia:
Anemia develops when there is an imbalance between the production and the loss/destructrion of RBC’s.
Anemia can also be caused by a genetic defect causing the production of faulty hemoglobin and/or RBC’s.
Thus, the causes of anemia can be classified as either …
Low make, High take, Mistake !

14. Low Make High Take Mistake

15. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin & Iron Studies Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
BMP
E-po.
Defic
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

16. Microcytic Anemias . . . . “Anorexics love to ingest small” ( MCV< 70)

17. Case 1: Mrs. B is a 92 year old nursing home patient who, on routine lab testing, was found to have a hemoglobin of 9.0, and a hematocrit of The patient’s aids note that she requires more assistance with ADL’s of late. She is weaker and seems more confused. Other Labs: WBC 6.9 (5-10) platelet 460 (150, ,000) MCV 70.5 (80-100) MCH of 22.5 ( ) MCHC 32.0 (32-36) RDW was elevated at 17.8 ( ) What is in the differential diagnosis? What do we do next?

18. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin (& Iron Studies) Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

19. Case 1 continued: Iron studies: Ferritin: 8 (10-250)  LOW Serum Iron: 14 (35-150)  LOW TIBC: 254 ( )  NORMAL % Saturation: 6 (12-50)  LOW

20. Causes of Microcytic Anemia:
Condition
Causes
CBC/other
Iron studies
Treatment
Iron Deficiency
Bleeding, pregnancy
Platelets up;
RDW up
Serum Fe , %
Sat. ,Ferritin
TIBC
Suppl. Iron
Stop bleed
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Diseases
with chronic
inflammation
Elevated ESR
& CRP; MCV
is normal-low
Sat. Ferritin
Treat
Underlying
disease
Beta Thalassemia Trait
hereditary
Increased
HbA2, HbF -
electrophoresis
Serum Fe, %
Sat.,Ferritin
TIBC normal
Usually none
Mis-dx’d
As Fe-defic.
Sideroblastic Anemia
Hereditary &
ETOH, B6 def.
Isoniazide,
Zyvox, MDS
Prussian Blue
Stain of BM
shows ringed
sideroblasts
TIBC nl
D/C causative
agent; treat
with Vit. B6 -
helps 40-80%
Lead Toxicity
Lead ingestion
Often from paint chips.
Basophilic
stipling
D/C lead Exposure;
Chelation
Therapy prn

21. Case 1 continued: Iron studies: Ferritin: 8 (10-250)  LOW Serum Iron: 14 (35-150)  LOW TIBC: 254 ( )  NORMAL % Saturation: 6 (12-50)  LOW
Diagnosis: Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatment: Supplemental iron; Look for occult GI bleed

22. Go to ASH website and select slide 4045

23. Case 2. Peter is a six year old boy who developed headaches, difficulty sleeping, stomach pain, weight loss, irritability and regression in school over the past several months. His mother, who is a single mom, usually works until 6 at night and the patient and his ten year old sibling are left alone in their apartment in the late afternoon until Mom returns.
Labs: His Hb is 8,8; Hct is 26.2; His Ferritin was WNL. His other iron studies were within normal limitis. His peripheral blood film as follows:

24. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin (& Iron Studies) Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

25. Causes of Microcytic Anemia:
Condition
Causes
CBC/other
Iron studies
Treatment
Iron Deficiency
Bleeding, pregnancy
Platelets up;
RDW up
Serum Fe , %
Sat. ,Ferritin
TIBC
Suppl. Iron
Stop bleed
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Diseases
with chronic
inflammation
Elevated ESR
& CRP; MCV
is normal-low
Sat. Ferritin
Treat
Underlying
disease
Beta Thalassemia Trait
hereditary
Increased
HbA2, HbF -
electrophoresis
Serum Fe, %
Sat.,Ferritin
TIBC normal
Usually none
Mis-dx’d
As Fe-defic.
Sideroblastic Anemia
Hereditary &
ETOH, B6 def.
Isoniazide,
Zyvox, MDS
Prussian Blue
Stain of BM
shows ringed
sideroblasts
TIBC nl
D/C causative
agent; treat
with Vit. B6 -
helps 40-80%
Lead Toxicity
Lead ingestion
Often from paint chips.
Basophilic
stipling
D/C lead Exposure;
Chelation
Therapy prn

26. Go to ASH website and select slide 3452

27. Lead Poisoning Diagnosis:
The blue speckles seen on several RBC’s is Basophilic Stippling.
Basophilic stippling is seen in heavy metal poisoning, particularly lead poisoning, the thalassemias; and a few other conditions.
His blood lead level was 22 mg/dl (upper nl is 5 mg/dl for child)
Diagnosis was made: chronic lead poisoning caused by ingestion of paint chip fragments.
Treatment: hospitalized for IV chelation therapy with DMSA and returned to his baseline.
Lead Poisoning

28. Case 3
HPI: A 42-year-old woman was referred for mild, chronic microcytic anemia discovered 18 years before. She c/o chronic fatigue that she has learned to live with.
PE: was normal except for some generalized weakness.
Labs: Hb 9.6 g/dL, MCV 73 fL, MHC 23 pg (27-32) RDW 27% ( ). The WBC and platelet counts were WNL.
Iron studies: ferritin 465 (10-252). Fe, % Sat are TIBC nl.
Her peripheral smear follows:

29. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin (& Iron Studies) Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

30. Causes of Microcytic Anemia:
Condition
Causes
CBC/other
Iron studies
Treatment
Iron Deficiency
Bleeding, pregnancy
Platelets up;
RDW up
Serum Fe , %
Sat. ,Ferritin
TIBC
Suppl. Iron
Stop bleed
Anemia of Chronic Disease
Diseases
with chronic
inflammation
Elevated ESR
& CRP; MCV
is normal-low
Sat. Ferritin
Treat
Underlying
disease
Beta Thalassemia Trait
hereditary
Increased
HbA2, HbF -
electrophoresis
Serum Fe, %
Sat.,Ferritin
TIBC normal
Usually none
Mis-dx’d
As Fe-defic.
Sideroblastic Anemia
Hereditary &
ETOH, B6 def.
Isoniazide,
Zyvox, MDS
Prussian Blue
Stain of BM
shows ringed
sideroblasts
TIBC nl
D/C causative
agent; treat
with Vit. B6 -
helps 40-80%
Lead Toxicity
Lead ingestion
Often from paint chips.
Basophilic
stipling
D/C lead Exposure;
Chelation
Therapy prn

31. Go to ASH website and select slide 24956

32. Ringed sideroblasts = Sideroblastic Anemia
Peripheral Smear showed a double population of RBC’s: one normal and one extremely microcytic and hypochromic. Very unusual  need a bone marrow.
Bone marrow aspirate: 35% of erythroid cells were ringed sideroblasts: nucleated erythroblasts with granules of (Prussian-blue stained) iron in perinuclear mitochondria
In sideroblastic anemia, the body/RBC has iron available but cannot incorporate it into hemoglobin.
Ringed sideroblasts = Sideroblastic Anemia

33. Go to ASH website and select slide 1157

34. Diagnosis: X-Linked Sideroblastic Anemia
Case 3:
X-linked sideroblastic anemia was confirmed by DNA sequencing on this patient. A skewed X-chromosome inactivation ratio explained the phenotype with two cell populations. Gender preval.: 1/3 women and 2/3 men.
Aquired Sideroblastic anemia: myelodysplastic syndrome, ETOH abuse, lead poisoning, B6 defic., drugs (Isoniazid, linezolid, etc)
Treatment: Oral pyridoxine (B6) therapy for all types with varying effectiveness. In this real case, pyridoxine increased her Hb to 11.4; and peripheral films showed disappearance of the microcytic population.
Diagnosis: X-Linked Sideroblastic Anemia

35. Normocyctic Anemias . . . . “average men hunt burgers” (MCV 80-100)

36. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin & Iron Studies Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
BMP
E-po.
Defic
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

37. Reticulocytosis:
Reticulocytes: immature RBC’s pushed out of the bone marrow early because of anemia. They stain “blue” because of nuclear fragments. These fragments show up better on a vital stain which enables counting of reticulocytes
Polychromasia: the bluish tint of the reticulocytes on a routine Wright’s stain, provides evidence of immature RBC’s
Example: Hemolytic disease of the newborn secondary to ABO incompatibility
Notice the polychromasia (causing an increase in MCV)
Notice the nucleated RBC

38. Go to ASH website and select slide 3513

39. Case 4 A 58 year old, obese, diabetic female presents with c/o feeling exhausted. She states that over the past 1 month, she has gotten increasingly short of breath while walking from the parking lot to his office. Over the past one week, she has also experienced the sensation of her “heart pounding out of her chest” when walking back and forth to his car. When you ask her about pain, she admits to chronic back and joint pain for which she regularly takes ibuprofen with good relief. She denies dyspepsia, diarrhea, melena and hematochezia. She is post-menopausal. Her PE is normal.
What is the Ddx ?

40. What kind of anemia does she have?
Case 4 continued: Relevant lab work is as follows: Na 135 WBC 7.6 MCV 92 K+ 4.4 Hb 8.2 MCH 29 (27-32) Cl 106 Hct: 24.5 Serum Fe normal CO2 24 Plt: 333 Ferritin normal BUN 64 Diff: normal Creat. 3.2 RBC morphology on next page. GFR: 19 Reticulocyte count: 0.4 ( )
What kind of anemia does she have?

41. Go to ASH website and select slide 3632

42. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin & Iron Studies Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
BMP
E-po.
Defic
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

43. Case 4
Answer: she has Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease with acute on chronic renal failure secondary to NSAID use.
Treatment: Stop NSAIDS! Treat anemia with erythropoetin. Monitor kidneys closely

44. Case 5 HPI: A 21-year-old African-American woman presented for routine prenatal care for her second pregnancy. Her past medical history included normocytic anemia of uncertain etiology, for which she was treated with iron, during her first pregnancy. Her physical examination was unremarkable. Labs: hemoglobin, 9.4 g/dL; MCV 81 fl; RDW 15.3 WBC and platelet counts were WNL Electrophoresis/chromatography for. hemoglobinopathy were normal, Here is her periperal blood film:.

45. Go to ASH website and select slide 17970

46. Hemolytic Anemia
Peripheral blood smear showed many elliptocytes, which is diagnostic of hereditary elliptocytosis (HE).
HE is caused by various gene mutations ultimately affecting the red cell cytoskeleton and membrane protein integrity  Spontaneous hemolysis not mediated by Ab’s.
HE is seen in numerous ethnic groups; with incidence highest in west and central Africans.
Most patients with heterozygous HE are asymptomatic, although some may demonstrate hemolytic anemia and splenomegaly.
Other lab findings: haptoglobin, LDH, Indir. Bilirubin, direct antiglobulin test (DAT) is neg. b/c not Ab-mediated.
Treatment: Folic acid reduces hemolysis.

47. Case 6. HPI: A previously healthy 23 year old male college student was noted by his buddies to be pale, fatigued, and just not keeping up. His mother comes to visit and notes that he has lost 10 pounds over the past 1 month. She She wonders if he has been using drugs. She brings him to your office for evaluation. Lab tests reveal: WBC 11.8, Hb 8.3, Hct 26.0, MCV 96 What’s your Ddx? What questions do we need to ask him?

48. Case 6, continued: Upon your ROS, he reveals that he has had Multiple episodes of loose stool over the Past two months. When pressed, he admits That the stools have been maroon in color. Additional Labs: Na 148, K 3.2, CO2 16, BUN 32, Creat. 1.2 (BUN/Creat. Ratio 27). WBC 11.8, Hb 8.3, Hct 26.0, MCV 96 What’s your Ddx? What do we do next to confirm the dx?

49. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin & Iron Studies Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
BMP
E-po.
Defic
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

50. Case 6, continued: Upon your ROS, he reveals that he has had Multiple episodes of loose stool over the past 2-3 weeks. When pressed, he admits That the stools have been loose and bloody. Additional Labs: Na 148, K 3.2, CO2 16, BUN 32, Creat. 1.2 (BUN/Creat. Ratio 27). WBC 11.8, Hb 8.3, Hct 26.0, MCV 96 His peripheral blood film is the next slide. What’s your Ddx? What do we do next to confirm the dx?

51. Go to ASH website and select slide 3666

52. Case 6, continued:
The blood film confirms what the indices
have told us: normocytic, normochromic
We order a reticulocyte count and it comes
back at 2.5% (normal is %). The
Bleed is still too acute for a great response.
Diagnosis:
You refer him to GI who scopes him and diagnoses him with new onset Crohns. He starts anti-inflammatory Meds and his symptoms subside. He has a normal bone marrow so,
when given adequate iron, and nutrients, he will replace his lost RBC’s without difficulty.

53. Macrocytic Anemias . . . . “Large men routinely hunt virtually ALL food” MCV > 100

54. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin & Iron Studies Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
BMP
E-po.
Defic
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

55. Reticulocytosis:
Reticulocytes: are immature RBC’s pushed out of the bone marrow early because of anemia. They are larger than mature RBC’s and thus increase the MCV.
Polychromasia: the bluish tint of the reticulocytes on a routine Wright’s stain, They stain “blue” because of retained nuclear fragments. These fragments show up better on a vital stain which enables counting of reticulocytes
: provides evidence of immature RBC’s
Example: Hemolytic disease of the newborn secondary to ABO incompatibility
Notice the polychromasia (causing an increase in MCV)
Notice the nucleated RBC

56. Go to the ASH website and select slide number 3513

57. Megaloblastic Anemia and Hypersegmented PMN’s
Megaloblastic Anemia; a macrocytic anemia that results from inhibition of DNA snthesis during RBC production.
A mismatch occurs in the maturation of nucleus and cytoplasm as the result of the lack of folic acid or B12.
As a result, RBC’s have lacier nuclei and larger cell size;
Neutrophils become Hypersegmented,- 6 or more lobes
Peripheral films will also have giant bands

58. Go to the ASH website and select slide 2869

59. Megaloblastic Anemia, continued:
BM aspirate from a patient with folic acid deficiency is shown
erythroid hyperplasia with marked nuclear/cytoplasmic dysynchrony noted at all stages of erythroid maturation; and nuclear budding.
The Megaloblastic Anemias include:
B12 deficiency from dietary lack
B12 deficiency due to malabsorption (lack of Intrinsic Factor) known as Pernicious Anemia. Do Schilling Test to differentiate.
Folic Acid defiency – (Pregnant women at increased risk)
To differentiate, check B12, Folic Acid and MMA levels.
With B12 deficiency, will also have neurologic symptoms.

60. Go to the ASH website and select slide 4117

61. Pernicious Anemia
Note the macro-ovalocytes characteristic of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency states.

62. Go to the ASH website and select slide 1544

63. Go to the ASH website and select slide 2869

64. Case Study 7.
A 21-year-old woman presented with severe anemia and mild splenomegaly.
Her CBC revealed a Hb of 6.8 g/dL, hematocrit 22%, MCV 114 fL, and MCH ( ).
The reticulocyte count was 3.6%.
Her peripheral film is as follows:

65. Go to the ASH website and select slide 14465

66. Case Study 7.
The peripheral smear (panel A) showed macrocytic target cells, polychromatophilia, macro-ovalocytes, and a few microcytes.
In view of the target cells, liquid chromatography was performed. Hemoglobin E disease was Dx’d. It typically shows microcytic hypochromic anemia with target cells.
Her serum B12 level was 94 ng/L (normal range, ng/L) with normal serum and red cell folate levels.
A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency with hemoglobin E disease was made. After 2 weeks of supplementation of vitamin B12 and folate, her hemoglobin rose to 9.6 .

67. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin & Iron Studies Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
BMP
E-po.
Defic
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

68. O Macrocytic Anemias (Non-megaloblastic)
Also occur with various organ diseases such as Hypothyroid, liver disease, and in alcoholism.
In addition to the expected abnormal lab studies associated with each of these conditions:
Target cells are particularly associated with Liver Disease. O

69. For the remainder of this lecture, we’ll take a quick look at some blood films and clinical characteristics of other anemias that we do not have time to present in Case Study format.
The first is Sickle cell disease – Note the RBC morphology on the following slides that results in the deformed cells plugging up blood vessels and causing painful ischemic attacks.
In addition to the RBC findings of sickled cells, this image shows a nucleated RBC (arrow). Because of the marked anemia, the bone marrow pushes out immature cells.

70. Go to the ASH website and select slide 3959

71. For the remainder of this lecture, we’ll take a a quick look at miscellaneous blood films of other anemias that we do not have time to go into today.
The first is Sickle cell disease – Note the RBC morphology
In addition to the RBC findings of sickled cells, this image shows a nucleated RBC (arrow).

72. Pappenheimer bodies may be found in a variety of conditions including megaloblastic anemia, thalassemias, hemolytic anemias, and post-splenectomy.

73. Go to the ASH website and select slide 3887

74. Hemoglobin C Disease
Hemoglobin C crystals crystalize outside of and inside of RBC’s causing disruption of cells and blockage of vessels..
Both extracellular (single arrows) and intracellular crystals are noted.

75. Go to the ASH website and select slide 3787

76. RBC morphology in thalassemia
A hypochromic polychromatophilic RBC (arrow) is shown .
The smear from a child with hemoglobin of 7.5 g/dl, RBC of 5.9 × 106/ul and an MCV of 47 fL consistent with a diagnosis of thalassemia.
The marked RBC microcytosis and hypochromia are evident.
The child had received an RBC transfusion prior to smear being performed accounting for the dual population of RBCs.
A spherocyte (arrow) is present on the smear and is of donor origin

77. Go to the ASH website and select slide 3955

78. RBC abnormalities in S/β thalassemia
Peripheral smear from a patient with S/β &plus; Thalassemia is shown. The MCV in this patient was 67 femtoliters consistent with microcytosis.
Hemoglobin analysis showed 67% hemoglobin S; 25% hemoglobin A; 2% hemoglobin F; and 6% hemoglobin A2. Sickle cell (small arrow) and target cell (large arrow) typical of this disorder are shown.

79. Go to the ASH website and select slide 4026

80. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia secondary to artifical aortic valve malfunction
The smear is shown at higher magnification and demonstrates more clearly the marked schistocytosis.

81. Go to the ASH website and select slide 1067

82. MCV - Based Approach to Anemia Diagnosis :
< – > 100
Microcytic Normocytic Macrocytic
Ferritin & Iron Studies Reticulocyte Count Blood Smear Morphology
Low Normal High Low Normal High HS PMN’s* HS PMN’s
Iron Thalassemia Anemia Anemia Acute Hemolysis Polychro- Target Vit B12
Defic. Hemoglobin- Chronic Chronic Blood Chronic masia Cells Deficiency
Anem. opathy Disease Disease Loss Bld.Loss Reticulo- Liver Folate
Hemo CRP, cytosis Disease Deficiency
globin ESR LDH
Electro Sidero Bilirubin Liver B12,
phoresis blastic Haptoglobin ETOH Enzymes Folate
Lead poisoning anemia Direct Anti Abuse Levels,
globulin test Hypothyroid MMA,
Lead Bone Marrow Schilling
Level Ringed sideroblasts Melodysplasia TFT’s Test
* HS PMN’s = Hypersegmented Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
BMP
E-po.
Defic
Bone Marrow
Ringed Sideroblasts

83. Microcytic Anemias . . . . “Anorexics love to ingest small” ( MCV< 70)

84. Normocyctic Anemias . . . . “average men hunt burgers” (MCV 80-100)

85. Macrocytic Anemias . . . . “Large men routinely hunt virtually ALL food” MCV > 100

86. THE END …
and Ernest, it’s finally time for your birthday vacation !!!