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'''Anaemia''' is defined as the reduction in circulating red blood cell-mass below normal levels. It reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, leading to tissue [[hypoxia]]. It is diagnosed by haemoglobin concentration. The WHO defines anaemia as a haemoglobin concentration < 13 g/dL for men and < 12 g/dL for women, but the normal ranges vary a bit from laboratory to laboratory.
<section begin="clinical biochemistry" />'''Anaemia''' is defined as the reduction in circulating red blood cell-mass below normal levels. It reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, leading to tissue [[hypoxia]]. It is diagnosed by haemoglobin concentration. The WHO defines anaemia as a haemoglobin concentration < 13 g/dL for men and < 12 g/dL for women, but the normal ranges vary a bit from laboratory to laboratory.


People with chronic anaemia develop compensatory mechanisms, which is why they can function with lower Hb.
People with chronic anaemia develop compensatory mechanisms, which is why they can function with lower Hb.
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! rowspan="12" |Possible causes
! rowspan="12" |Possible causes
|[[Iron deficiency anaemia]]
|[[Iron deficiency anaemia]]
!''Haemolytic anaemias:''
!''[[Haemolytic anaemia|Haemolytic anaemias]]:''
|[[Vitamin B12 deficiency]]
|[[Vitamin B12 deficiency]]
|-
|-
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|}
|}


== General features of anaemia ==
== Classification of anaemia according to reticulocytes ==
In response to anaemia, a healthy bone marrow will increase production of RBCs. This is evidenced on labs as an elevated reticulocyte count. If reticulocytes are not elevated or are decreased, it points to a primary problem with the bone marrow causing the anaemia.
 
* Increased reticulocytes – bone marrow works hard
** Bleeding
** Haemolysis
* Decreased reticulocytes – bone marrow doesn’t work
** Aplastic anaemia
** Leukaemia
** Myelodysplasia
** Myelofibrosis
** Chronic kidney disease (EPO deficiency)
<section end="clinical biochemistry" />
== General clinical features of anaemia ==


* Fatigue
* Fatigue
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* Palpitations
* Palpitations
* Tachycardia
* Tachycardia
 
For more specific features, see the article of the specific form of anaemia.
[[Category:Haematology]]
[[Category:Haematology]]
[[Category:Internal Medicine (POTE course)]]
[[Category:Internal Medicine (POTE course)]]