Mildly decreased serum iron levels, normal or mildly increased ferritin levels, and normal transferrin saturation.
Anemia of Renal Disease:
Variable laboratory findings, including normal or decreased serum iron levels, increased ferritin levels, and normal or increased transferrin saturation.
Pernicious Anemia:
Low serum Vitamin B12 levels, increased homocysteine levels, and low or normal serum iron levels.
Sideroblastic Anemia:
Elevated serum ferritin levels, increased transferrin saturation, and macrocytic or normocytic anemia.
Megaloblastic Anemia:
Increased red cell mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), as well as low serum Vitamin B12 and Folate levels.
Autoimmune Anemia:
Variable laboratory findings, including anemia, reticulocytosis, and positive indirect antiglobulin testing (e.g., Coombs test).
Coombs Test
Indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) to detect autoimmune hemolytic anemia, specifically warm and cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Microcytic Anemia:
Small, pale, and hypochromic red blood cells with a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) < 80 fL and a mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) < 32 g/dL.
Macrocytic Anemia:
Large, hyperchromic red blood cells with a MCV > 100 fL and an MCHC > 34 g/dL, often accompanied by decreased reticulocytes.
Normocytic Anemia:
Normal-sized, normochromic red blood cells with a MCV within the normal range (80-100 fL) and a MCHC within the normal range (32-36 g/dL).
Thalassemia:
Microcytic red blood cells with varying degrees of hypochromia, often associated with a microcytic hypochromic anemia and increased fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels.
Hereditary Spherocytosis:
The presence of spherocytic red blood cells, which are elliptical or spherical in shape, often accompanied by an increased reticulocyte count and potential manifestations of anemia.
Megaloblastic Anemia:
Megalozytic red blood cells with an increased MCV and MCHC, often accompanied by Hypersegmented Neutrophils and macrocytic anemia.
Reticulocytes
Immature red blood cells released during anemia or hemolysis; elevated reticulocyte count (reticulocytosis) indicates increased red blood cell production or hemolytic anemia
Causes of Anemia
Causes of anemia include inadequate dietary iron intake, blood loss, chronic disease, inherited disorders, hormonal imbalances, infections, nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, or autoimmune disorders
Chronic Disease & Anemia
Chronic diseases can cause anemia through inflammation, hormonal imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, increased red blood cell destruction, or impaired erythropoietin production
Chronic Kidney Disease & Anemia
Chronic kidney disease is the leading cause of anemia; anemia in CKD is often due to erythropoietin deficiency, iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies, and red blood cell destruction.
Symptoms of Anemia
Common symptoms of anemia include fatigue, shortness of breath, paleness, headaches, cold hands and feet, dizziness, hair loss, and decreased physical performance