Differential Diagnosis for Anemia or Diluted Sample
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Anemia: This is the most straightforward explanation, as anemia is a condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, which can lead to a variety of symptoms including fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Diluted sample: A diluted blood sample can occur due to various reasons such as excessive anticoagulant or incorrect blood-to-anticoagulant ratio, leading to falsely low hemoglobin and hematocrit values.
- Dehydration: Severe dehydration can cause a relative increase in hemoglobin concentration due to hemoconcentration, but if the dehydration is corrected rapidly (e.g., with IV fluids), it might be mistaken for a diluted sample or anemia.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Sickle Cell Disease: Although less common, sickle cell disease can cause anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells and should not be missed due to its significant implications for patient management and prognosis.
- Leukemia: Certain types of leukemia can cause anemia as part of their presentation, and missing this diagnosis could have severe consequences for the patient.
- Severe Chronic Diseases (e.g., Chronic Kidney Disease, Chronic Liver Disease): These conditions can lead to anemia due to various mechanisms, including decreased erythropoietin production or chronic inflammation, and are critical to identify for appropriate management.
- Rare diagnoses
- Hereditary Spherocytosis: A rare genetic disorder characterized by the production of abnormal sphere-shaped red blood cells that are prone to premature destruction, leading to anemia.
- Thalassemia: A group of genetic disorders affecting hemoglobin synthesis, leading to anemia of varying severity.
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH): A rare, acquired, life-threatening disease of the blood characterized by the destruction of red blood cells, bone marrow failure, and the potential for blood clot formation.