CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS MANUAL
Clinical anaemia is a pathological state where there is a decrease in the amount of haemoglobin or in the number of red blood cells, which prevents the blood from carrying an adequate amount of oxygen to the body’s tissues. The symptoms and signs of anaemia can vary depending on the severity and the underlying cause.
Pathology | Diagnosis of Suspicion | Diagnosis of Confirmation |
|---|---|---|
Microcytic due to Iron Deficiency | Symptoms of anaemia, diet low in iron, history of blood loss (e.g., heavy menstruation, gastrointestinal bleeding). | Full blood count showing low MCV, low serum iron, low ferritin, high total iron-binding capacity. |
Macrocytic | Symptoms of anaemia, poor diet, possible history of alcoholism or gastrointestinal diseases affecting B12 or folate absorption. | Full blood count showing high MCV, low levels of vitamin B12 or folate in blood tests. |
Normocytic | Anaemia with non-specific symptoms in the context of chronic diseases (e.g., chronic kidney disease, inflammatory diseases). | Full blood count showing anaemia with normal MCV, possible elevation of acute phase reactants if inflammation is present. |
Hypoplastic or Aplastic | Fatigue, pallor, frequent bleeding or infections, with no apparent cause. | Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy showing reduced or absent blood-producing cells. |
Leukaemia | Symptoms of anaemia, fever, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, splenomegaly or hepatomegaly. | Full blood count with abnormal cell count, confirmed by bone marrow aspiration and cytogenetic or molecular tests. |
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