Difference between revisions of "Anemia"
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There are multiple possible causes for a low Hb level. | There are multiple possible causes for a low Hb level. | ||
* Low serum iron; if there is too little iron available, too little new Hb molecules are produced (as Hb contains iron). | * Low serum iron; if there is too little iron available, too little new Hb molecules are produced (as Hb contains iron). | ||
| − | * beta-thalassemia; a hereditary trait particularly present in malaria-prone regions, as its relatively protective against malaria. In this trait, the production of protein for Hb is not properly regulated. Since less iron is incorporated in Hb, this may lead to accumulation of iron in various organs, which may eventually cause liver cirrhosis or fibrosis, heart failure, growth impairment, diabetes and osteoporosis. The severity of this disease depends on the nature of the mutation that causes it. Supplemental iron may have severe adverse effects. | + | * beta-thalassemia; a hereditary trait particularly present in malaria-prone regions, as its relatively protective against malaria. In this trait, the production of protein for Hb is not properly regulated. Since less iron is incorporated in Hb, this may lead to accumulation of iron in various organs, which may eventually cause liver cirrhosis or -fibrosis, heart failure, growth impairment, diabetes and osteoporosis. The severity of this disease depends on the nature of the mutation that causes it. Supplemental iron may have severe adverse effects. |
Revision as of 19:36, 5 February 2014
Anemia may mean two things:
- A decreased level of Hb (hemoglobin) in the blood, in absolute numbers. This may be because the level of Hb in the red blood cells is low, or because the level of red blood cells (which contain all the Hb in the blood) is low.
- A decreased capacity of each Hb molecule to bind oxygen, due to a deformity, or if too much of the iron in Hb is oxidized (from Fe2+ to Fe3+).
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin (Hb) is a iron-containing protein in the blood. Hb transports oxygen (and some other gasses, such as CO2 and nitric oxide) to all your organs. Organs need oxygen to make use of nutrients (including energy) through oxidation. A lower level of Hb may therefore lead to a (relative) lack of oxygen in various organs.
Low Hb level
There are multiple possible causes for a low Hb level.
- Low serum iron; if there is too little iron available, too little new Hb molecules are produced (as Hb contains iron).
- beta-thalassemia; a hereditary trait particularly present in malaria-prone regions, as its relatively protective against malaria. In this trait, the production of protein for Hb is not properly regulated. Since less iron is incorporated in Hb, this may lead to accumulation of iron in various organs, which may eventually cause liver cirrhosis or -fibrosis, heart failure, growth impairment, diabetes and osteoporosis. The severity of this disease depends on the nature of the mutation that causes it. Supplemental iron may have severe adverse effects.
