What tests should be done to diagnose aplastic anemia?

Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
Updated on November 12, 2024
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The diagnostic criteria for aplastic anemia include a decrease in all blood cells, generally no enlargement of the liver or spleen, reduced or severe reduction in bone marrow hyperplasia in multiple sites, and exclusion of other diseases causing a decrease in all blood cells. Therefore, the diagnosis of aplastic anemia requires the following tests: complete blood count, reticulocyte count, abdominal ultrasound, bone marrow cytology, bone marrow chromosome analysis, bone marrow biopsy, rheumatoid immune indicators, and peripheral blood T-cell subgroups. Additionally, for patients suspected of having aplastic anemia, further flow cytometry and differentiation from myelodysplastic syndromes are sometimes necessary.

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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Can patients with aplastic anemia drink corn silk water?

Patients with aplastic anemia can drink corn silk tea, but corn silk tea has no therapeutic effect on aplastic anemia. Aplastic anemia is caused by various causes and mechanisms leading to bone marrow failure, mainly characterized by decreased bone marrow hematopoietic function, decreased total blood cells, and the resulting anemia, bleeding, and infection syndrome. The pathogenesis of aplastic anemia is not clear, mainly due to immune abnormalities. The treatment is mainly the use of immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine and hematopoietic agents, primarily androgens. Corn silk tea does not have a therapeutic effect on the mechanisms of this disease.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What medicine is used for aplastic anemia?

The main drugs used for aplastic anemia are immunosuppressants and cyclosporine. In addition to cyclosporine, low doses of hormones, androgens, and traditional Chinese medicine can also be used to stimulate bone marrow hematopoiesis. If the medication is effective, continue with oral administration; if ineffective, further consideration of bone marrow transplantation is needed. During the treatment process, it is necessary to regularly review the routine blood tests and, if necessary, provide support treatment with red blood cell and platelet transfusions.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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The etiology of aplastic anemia

The etiology of aplastic anemia currently has no absolute cause, but the more supported theories concerning its etiology include the soil, pest, and seed theories. The soil theory refers to abnormalities in the microenvironment within the bone marrow, which causes an abnormal growth environment for hematopoietic stem cells, consequently limiting their growth. The seed theory indicates a decrease in the number and quality of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, leading to bone marrow regeneration failure. The pest theory refers to immunological factors, which play a significant role in aplastic anemia, suggesting a disorder in the patient's immune function that leads to bone marrow regeneration failure.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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What medicine is used to treat aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia is divided into acute aplastic anemia and chronic aplastic anemia. Patients with acute aplastic anemia require intensified immunotherapy or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a sibling match. Intensified immunotherapy involves the simultaneous use of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine. The main treatments for chronic aplastic anemia are immunosuppressive therapy and stimulative hematopoiesis therapy. Immunotherapy primarily involves oral administration of cyclosporine; stimulative hematopoiesis therapy may include oral administration of Chinese patent medicines such as Zao Zeng Xue Pian, and danazol, an anabolic steroid. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on the specific circumstances.)

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Written by Zhang Xiao Le
Hematology
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Are the liver and kidney functions normal in patients with aplastic anemia?

Patients with aplastic anemia generally have normal liver and kidney functions. However, in certain special circumstances, abnormalities in liver and kidney functions may occur, including: Firstly, the routine treatment for aplastic anemia mainly includes the immunosuppressant cyclosporine and the hematopoietic stimulant androgens. The primary side effect of cyclosporine is renal toxicity. Therefore, during the use of cyclosporine, it is necessary to monitor the concentration of cyclosporine; excessive levels can lead to renal dysfunction. Androgens, including stanozolol and danazol, primarily cause hepatic toxicity; hence, it is necessary to monitor liver and kidney functions during treatment of aplastic anemia. The second factor that may cause liver and kidney function abnormalities is severe anemia. Long-term severe anemia can lead to tissue ischemia and hypoxia in the liver or kidneys, and if prolonged, it can cause abnormalities in liver and kidney functions. (Medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a physician.)