Normocytic anaemia

• How is normocytic anaemia characterised?

  Normal MCV with dec haemoglobin conc
• What is the normal MCV range?

  80-100 fL
• What is normocytic anaemia often indicative of?

  Underlying conditions e.g. chronic disease, acute blood loss or marrow infiltration
• What are the 3 main types of normocytic anaemia?

  Haemolytic

  Aplastic

  Anaemia of chronic disease/ anaemia of inflammation
• What causes haemolytic anaemia?

  Premature destruction of RBCs
• What causes aplastic anaemia?

  Bone marrow failure = pancytopenia
• Who is anaemia of chronic disease commonly seen in?

  Patients with chronic inflammatory conditions
• What are some signs on examination for normocytic anaemias and which particular type may they be seen in?

  Pallor - all

  Jaundice - haemolytic

  Splenomegaly - aplastic

  Lymphadenopathy - aplastic or ACD
• What blood tests are done when investigating for normocytic anaemia?

  FBC

  Reticulocyte count

  Serum ferritin
• Why is reticulocyte count important when investigating normocytic anaemia?

  Inc reticulocyte count = inc bone marrow response to anaemia

  Dec count = dec bone marrow production
• Blood tests that consist of low serum iron, low TIBC, and raised ferritin indicate what type of normocytic anaemia?

  Anaemia of chronic disease