Describe All the Types of Anemia, Laboratory Tests Indicates for Each, and the Evidence-Based Treatments.
Assignment Details: Describe All the Types of Anemia, Laboratory Tests Indicates for Each, and the Evidence-Based Treatments.
Anemia is the condition where an individual has a defect in their red blood cells that impacts their ability to carry oxygen to the body organs. The are different types of anemia depending on the shape and size of the red blood cells including normocytic, microcytic, macrocytic, and sickle cell anemia (Akbarpour et al., 2022). Normocytic anemia is whereby the cell is of normal size and shape but may be insufficient in number or function. Causes of normocytic anemia are either chronic illnesses or bone marrow disorders under which we find hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, and anemia of chronic disease (Akbarpour et al., 2022). Laboratory studies that are ordered for the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia include complete blood count (CBC), reticulocyte count, peripheral blood smear, and iron studies.
Microcytic anemia is characterized by red blood cells that are smaller than normal and reflect in a low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in a complete blood count (Akbarpour et al., 2022). The most common cause of microcytic anemia is the iron-deficiency anemia that results from insufficient iron in the blood to make hemoglobin (Kumar et al., 2022). Other causes include thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, and lead poisoning. To diagnose microcytic anemia CBC, serum ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, and a peripheral blood smear can be ordered. CBC helps identify low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels while the other three tests confirm low levels of iron in the blood (Kumar et al., 2022). Treatments include intravenous or oral iron supplementation, and addressing underlying causes such as nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal bleeding, removal of excess lead from the body, and regular blood transfusions (Kumar et al., 2022).
Macrocytic anemia presents with abnormally large red blood cells which reflect in an elevated MCV (Akbarpour et al., 2022). It can be due to megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 or vitamin 9 (folate) deficiency or non-megaloblastic anemia from alcoholism or certain medications (Socha et al., 2020). Diagnostic tests include CBC, serum vitamin B12 and folate levels, and peripheral blood smear to determine the levels of these vitamins in the blood. Treatment includes vitamin B12 and folate supplementation, alcohol cessation, or discontinuation of responsible medication (Socha et al., 2020). Sickle cell anemia manifests as disc-shaped red blood cells and is inherited when the child receives an abnormal hemoglobin gene from each parent (Inusa et al., 2019). It is diagnosed using CBC and a hemoglobin electrophoresis to confirm the presence of hemoglobin S (Inusa et al., 2019). Blood transfusion therapies can be prescribed to help boost the number of healthy blood cells in the patient’s body.
References
Akbarpour, E., Paridar, Y., Mohammadi, Z., Mard, A., Danehchin, L., Abolnezhadian, F., Azadpour, S., Rahimi, Z., Zamani, M., Cheraghian, B., Poustchi, H., & Shayesteh, A. (2022). Anemia prevalence, severity, types, and correlates among adult women and men in a multiethnic Iranian population: The Khuzestan comprehensive health study (KCHS). BMC Public Health, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12512-6
Inusa, B., Hsu, L., Kohli, N., Patel, A., Ominu-Evbota, K., Anie, K., & Atoyebi, W. (2019). Sickle cell disease—genetics, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and treatment. International Journal of Neonatal Screening, 5(2), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijns5020020
Kumar, A., Sharma, E., Marley, A., Samaan, M. A., & Brookes, M. J. (2022). Iron deficiency anaemia: Pathophysiology, assessment, Practical Management. BMJ Open Gastroenterology, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgast-2021-000759
Socha, D. S., DeSouza, S. I., Flagg, A., Sekeres, M., & Rogers, H. J. (2020). Severe megaloblastic anemia: Vitamin deficiency and other causes. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 87(3), 153–164. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.87a.19072
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