Erythrocyte Pathology

• hemophilia - blood fails to clot due to lack of a clotting factor (genetic disorder)
• hyperlipidemia - high lipids in the blood, risk factor for atherosclerosis
• septicemia - bacteria or toxins in the blood (also called blood poisoning)
• aplastic anemia - severe anemia, red bone marrow stops making sufficient blood cells, may require a bone marrow transplant
• erythrocytosis - too many RBC's / erythropenia - too little RBC's
• hemolytic reaction - destruction od RBCs when a patient receives an incompatible blood transfusion
• hypochromic anemia - insufficient hemoglobin leads to RBC's not being able to properly transport oxygen
• iron deficiency anemia - too little iron to make hemoglobin for RBCs
• pernicious anemia - insufficient absorption of vitamin B12 means not enough RBCs can be made
• polycythemia vera - codition of having too many RBCs, blood is too thick and flows sluggishly
• sickle cell anemia - genetic disorder, sickle shaped cells are fragile, leading to hemolytic anemia
• thalassemia - genetic disorder, body cant produce functioning Hb