Anemia from deficient red blood cell production

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Anemia from deficient red blood cell production

Iron deficiency anemia

Sideroblastic anemia

Anemia of chronic disease

Aplastic anemia

Hypoproliferative Anemia

Myelophthisic anemia

Megaloblastic macrocytic anemia

There are a number of factors that need to be present in combination to allow the bone marrow in the hollow long bones to manufacture red blood cells. If there is a dysbalance with one of the ingredients missing, it will results in anemia.

[edit] Iron deficiency anemia

This is the most common form of anemia due to such diverse causes as chronic blood loss (ulcers, polyps in the colon or colon cancer), heavy periods in women or chronic nose bleeds (epistaxis). Iron deficiency leads to a slow down of the metabolic pathway of building up the hemoglobin molecule. This results in iron deficiency and is explained under "anemia due to blood loss".

[edit] Sideroblastic anemia

This type of anemia is an iron utilization anemia meaning that the bone marrow has difficulties utilizing iron for hemoglobin synthesis. Sideroblastic anemia can be hereditary. Often it is part of a myelodysblastic syndrome, but it can also be secondary to certain drugs (chloramphenicol, isoniazid, cycloserine etc.) or toxins like alcohol and lead. Symptoms: The symptoms are the same as for all the anemias.

Diagnostic tests A blood smear shows targeted red blood cells with basophilic stippling (bluish color spots). If myelodysplastic syndrome is present, there are other features associated with this condition seen. If not, lead levels should be done to rule out lead poisoning.

Treatment In the case of alcohol induced sideroblastic anemia the patient will recover quickly when alcohol is eliminated. Some of the more rare forms of congenital sideroblastic anemias may respond to pyridoxine 50 mg three times per day.

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Anemia Overview

Anemia from deficient red blood cell production

References:

1. Merck Manual (Home edition): Anemia

2. Noble: Textbook of Primary Care Medicine, 3rd ed., Mosby Inc. 2001

3. Goldman: Cecil Medicine, 23rd ed., Saunders 2007: Chapter 162 – APPROACH TO THE ANEMIAS