Question

When a HUMAN has an abnormal RBC or WBC count, whether it be high or low, it will lead to some kind of disorder. Therefore, indicate for the following specific situations, whether the person would have: HIGH RBC, HIGH WBC, LOW RBC or LOW WBC (indicate only one for each): (1) anemia (2) COPD (3) leukemia (4) rheumatoid arthritis

Answer 1

Anemia	COPD	Leukemia	Rheumatoid arthritis
Low RBC	High RBC due to erythrocytosis	High WBC	Low RBC low WBC(neutropenia in Felty's syndrome which is rare)

Explanations:

Anemia

Anemia is a condition characterized by reduced hemoglobin levels in blood below normal range; 12gm/dl in females and 14gm/dl in males( both are lower limits). It is also characterised by a reduced rbc count. Anemia could be due to any of the following reasons:

• Acute blood loss
• iron deficiency
• folate and vitamin B12 deficiency
• Reduced production of erythropoetin
• Hemoglobinopathy.
• Autoimmune disease

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

It is a state of chronic airflow obstruction seen especially in chronic smokers. It could be seen in association with chronic bronchitis or with emphysema. Breathing becomes difficult(dyspnea) on exertion. FEV1/FVC is reduced to below 0.7 in these patients.

An increased number of red blood cells is seen. This is known as erythrocytosis. It occurs because due to COPD, the person has reduced oxygen availability to tissues so to counteract this, the body starts o produce more red blood cells into the circulation. The blood picture might also show increased WBC due to any infection underlying the cause of this condition.

Leukemia

It is the malignancy of the bone marrow causing it to produce abnormally high levels of white blood cells and release into circulation. There would be an incresed number of immature cels in the circulation. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, easy bruising and bleeding, weakness .

Rheumatoid arthritis

It is an inflammatory disorder which affects the joints causing the destruction of cartilage at the joints, bony erosions, and results in pain , tenderness, swelling and joint deformities. It has both genetic and environmental factors as its etiology.

The blood picture in this shows anemia(reduced production from bone marrow) and in the rare case of Felty's disease reduced neutrophils are seen.