Blood transfusions are usually not required. Empiric therapy before a diagnosis is established can be dangerous. A patient deficient in vitamin B 12 may have a hematologic response to folic acid but an exacerbation of neurologic symptoms. Esophageal, stomach, and colorectal tumors have a higher incidence in those with pernicious anemia. Anemia with Increased Red Blood Cell Production Usually acute anemias primarily associated with blood loss or hemolysis.
Patients usually present with classic signs of anemia.
See section IB for symptoms. Hemolytic crisis, which is rare, presents with fever, chills, tachycardia, tachypnea, backache, hemoglobinuria. Can progress to renal failure from hemoglobinuria. In addition to the causes below, consider malaria, ehrlichiosis, etc. Often normochromic-normocytic but may be macrocytic.