A low platelet count may be an artefact
EDTA in a blood tube can make platelets clump in vitro, producing pseudothrombocytopenia. A film and repeat count in another anticoagulant can reveal the trap.
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RCPA Manual: ThrombocytopeniaHFE variants do not equal symptoms
Detecting a common HFE variant does not mean every person will be symptomatic. RCPA notes carriers remain at risk of iron-related end-organ damage, so clinical assessment matters.
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RCPA Manual: Hereditary haemochromatosisVitamin K affects more than prothrombin
Vitamin K is needed for factors II, VII, IX and X, and proteins C and S. Deficiency commonly prolongs PT/INR, while APTT may remain normal or also lengthen.
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RCPA Manual: Vitamin K deficiencyLymphocyte morphology can point the way
A blood-film look at lymphocyte morphology can help distinguish reactive from other causes. RCPA describes small mature lymphocytes and smudge cells as features associated with CLL.
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RCPA Manual: LymphocytosisFerritin rises with inflammation
Ferritin reflects iron stores, but inflammation can raise it: a seemingly normal result may coexist with iron deficiency. Context matters when reading the iron panel.
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RCPA Manual: Iron deficiencyThalassaemia testing has a pregnancy caveat
Iron deficiency can lower HbA2 and obscure beta-thalassaemia trait. RCPA cautions against delaying antenatal testing while iron deficiency is treated.
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RCPA Manual: ThalassaemiaMicrocytosis has several mechanisms
Small, hypochromic red cells are not synonymous with iron deficiency. The RCPA differential also includes thalassaemia and sideroblastic anaemia, so morphology steers rather than finishes the work-up.
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RCPA Manual: AnaemiaMDS is a clonal marrow disorder
MDS combines clonal blood-forming stem-cell disease with cytopenias, dysplasia and ineffective haematopoiesis; it also carries increased risk of progression to acute myeloid leukaemia.
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RCPA Manual: Myelodysplastic syndromesYou're all caught up
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