Red Celly Things
This is the most important red cell marker in an FBC (in Dr Wigley's opinion).
Haemoglobin
This type of white blood cell is the most pre-dominant
Neutrophils.
This term refers to a low platelet count.
Thrombocytopenia.
Anaemias can be classified morphologically into these 3 categories.
Microcytic
Normocytic
Macroytic
An Hb value reported as a 3 figure number (e.g. 156) is likely being given in these units.
grams per litre
A viral infection would typically cause a rise in this white cell type.
Lymphocytes
Other than platelet count, this is the other platelet marker reported on an FBC.
Mean platelet volume.
This plasma protein is responsible for transporting iron throughout the body.
Transferrin.
This FBC marker represents the average volume of each RBC in a sample.
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
This white cell type is involved in allergy response and can be raised in atopic conditions.
Eosinophils
An immune-mediated response to this anticoagulant can cause low platelet count.
Heparin
(HIT)
This cause of a macrocytic anaemia can be due to autoimmune gastritis.
Pernicious anaemia.
This red cell marker refers to the average Hb content in a single RBC.
Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin
This class of drugs can cause a marked neutrophilia.
Glucocorticoids.
This pattern of bleeding usually occurs in thrombocytopenia.
Mucosal bleeding (epistaxis, gums, menorrhagia)
Petechiae
These 2 examination findings can be found in and around the mouth of a patient with anaemia.
Glossitis
Angular chelitis / stomatitis.
This red cell marker can be useful for diagnosing anaemia that is normocytic but is due a mix of microcytic and macrocytic causes (e.g. mixed of IDA and B12 deficiency).
RDW
If RDW is high, suggests mix of small RBCs and large RBCs
This is a physiological cause of low neutrophil count
Duffy-null associated neutrophil count (formerly Benign Ethnic Neutropenia)
This severe variant of pre-eclampsia leads to low platelets and 2 other biochemical problems.
HELLP syndrome
(Haemolysis and elevated liver enzymes)
When managing concurrent B12 and folate deficiency, this nutrient should be replaced first.
B12