Haematinics are nutrients required by the bone marrow to produce blood cells during the
haematopoiesis process.
Cytopenia(s) and related symptoms can develop if these nutrients are not adequately supplied.
Excess amounts can also be pathological, pointing to a variety of underlying disease states.
This haematinics interpretation guide will concentrate on deficiencies of the three most clinically
important haematinics: vitamin B12 (cobalamin), vitamin B9 (folate), and iron.
Other haematinics that are not covered in this guide are:
A vitamin
B2 vitamin (riboflavin)
B3 vitamin (nicotinic acid)
B6 vitamin
C vitamin
E vitamin
Cobalt Copper
When interpreting haematnics, it is critical to consider the history and examination findings.
The significance of results varies depending on the patient context and should be interpreted in
conjunction with a thorough clinical assessment.
Iron
Investigating a patient’s iron status can become complicated as no single test accurately
represents all stages of iron metabolism and some of the available tests can be affected by
inflammation and renal disease.
Given how common iron deficiency anaemia is, it is important to understand the tests used to
investigate iron deficiency and how to interpret results correctly.
When to investigate
Iron deficient patients can develop microcytic anaemia and may have a range of clinical
features.
haematopoiesis process.
Cytopenia(s) and related symptoms can develop if these nutrients are not adequately supplied.
Excess amounts can also be pathological, pointing to a variety of underlying disease states.
This haematinics interpretation guide will concentrate on deficiencies of the three most clinically
important haematinics: vitamin B12 (cobalamin), vitamin B9 (folate), and iron.
Other haematinics that are not covered in this guide are:
A vitamin
B2 vitamin (riboflavin)
B3 vitamin (nicotinic acid)
B6 vitamin
C vitamin
E vitamin
Cobalt Copper
When interpreting haematnics, it is critical to consider the history and examination findings.
The significance of results varies depending on the patient context and should be interpreted in
conjunction with a thorough clinical assessment.
Iron
Investigating a patient’s iron status can become complicated as no single test accurately
represents all stages of iron metabolism and some of the available tests can be affected by
inflammation and renal disease.
Given how common iron deficiency anaemia is, it is important to understand the tests used to
investigate iron deficiency and how to interpret results correctly.
When to investigate
Iron deficient patients can develop microcytic anaemia and may have a range of clinical
features.
