Overall Approach to Anemia - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm



Blood Loss

 • Acute Bleed - Normocytic / Normochromic RBCs on Smear

 • Chronic Bleed - Any combination of: Decreased Reticulocytes, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Serum Iron, Ferritin, Increased TIBC, Hypochromic RBCs

Decreased RBC Production - Normal / Decreased Reticulocytes

 • Iron Deficiency

 • B12/Folate Deficiency

 • Aplastic Anemia

 • Anemia of Chronic Disease

 • Marrow Infiltration

Increased RBC Destruction - Increased Reticulocytes, Increased Unconjugated Bilirubin, Spherocytes on Smear

 - Congenital

     • Hemoglobinopathy

     • Thalassemia

     • RBC Membrane Disorder

     • RBC Metabolism Disorder

 - Acquired

     • Immune

     • Non-lmmune



#Anemia #Classification #Approach #Differential #Diagnosis #Algorithm #Causes #Hematology