The Liver and the CBC

[liveonearth]

--target cells are a frequent finding on blood smears, and are secondary to liver-caused changes in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism
--chronic liver dz-->anemia in 75% of pts
--severe chronic liver damage-->usu macrocytic anemia-->increased ferritin
--acute liver dz-->usu normocytic anemia
--alcohol abuse-->B12/folate deficiency, increased ferritin
--liver dz-->increased serum iron levels
--cirrhosis-->decreased TIBC or transferrin