Disorders of Red Cells Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Disorders of Red Cells - Case Study Example It is quite clear that the patient is anemic. Usual signs and symptoms of anemia are lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and reduced blood cell count causing fatigue, shortness of breath, hypotension, dizziness, headaches, and irritability. The condition eventually leads to tachycardia (the heart rate exceeding normal range) and tachypnea (breathing rate over 20) in due course of time. The hematocrit indicates about the volume of red blood cells in proportion to the total blood volume (total of plasma and red blood cells) and for women, it has to be between 36 and 48% (Eckman, 2013). The laboratory reading of the patients hematocrit has been shown 32% that is certainly less than the normal level. Moreover, the patients blood smear test reveals microcytic and hypochromic cells in her blood. This gives an indication of Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia in the patient. Usually, iron deficiency is the cause of hypochromic microcytic anemia. Microcytic Hypochromic anemia results when "a r educed amount of iron is delivered to the marrow erythroid precursors" (Eckman, 2013). Usually, efficient recycling of iron or a good balance maintained between losses and absorption keeps iron deficiency in control. It is estimated that a menstruating female loses approximately 2.0 mg of iron per day (Eckman, 2013). Ms. A’s age is 26 years and being in menstruating age, her iron losses are likely to be around 2.0 mg of iron per day. Her intake of iron appears to be not adequate enough to maintain losses or otherwise, the underlying cause of low hemoglobin lies somewhere else. Ms. As reticulocyte count (immature blood cells) makes up a higher percentage of the blood count and that appears to be due to low hemoglobin in red blood cells. A reticulocyte count is a blood test that reveals how fast bone marrow makes and releases red blood cells into the  blood.