

Bloody Minded
Bloody Minded Crew
Baffled by blood? Confused by coags? Traumatised by TTP? Planning on quitting medical school because you've just finished haem block? Join the registrars of the Bloody Minded Crew as they tour the world of haematology one topic at at a time while procrastinating from their day jobs. Your time is precious, so to maximise your return we look at each topic at a variety of levels so you can tailor your learning. Check out more at www.bloodyminded.com.au
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 7, 2025 • 41min
Episode 63 - Virchow’s Revenge | Introduction to Venous Thromboembolism
Rudolf the red nosed physicianWrote a very cool triadAnd if you ever saw ityou would even say ‘Egad!’All of the other physiciansused to laugh and call him dumbThey never let poor Rudolf join in the MDT funThen one foggy clinic daya patient came to say “Rudolf with your triad so smartwon’t you describe to me the pathophysiology of clotting in a way that both makes sense and fits inside the metre of this children's song”But he couldn’t, so welcome back to our next batch of episodes on the pod as we tackle the wonderful world of venous thromboembolism. How do I ask a patient about clots? Is a provoked thromboembolism when you call it names? Join Nick, Cale and Bashar jumping into the wild world of clots...TIMESTAMPS0:58 - Episode Intro2:51 - Crafting a Clot Redux - Haemostasis7:21 - Turbo Coag Cascade8:34 - Thrombosis History12:17 - Why we bother with history16:39 - Risk factors for VTE21:41 - Major vs Minor risk factors23:54 - Thinking about risk factors26:04 - The Thrombosis History32:53 - Management Overview37:40 - Summary and TakehomesSupport the showCheck out show notes, additional references and (sometimes) extra content at www.bloodyminded.com.au

Sep 30, 2025 • 40min
Episode 62 - The Man in the High (Lymph Node) Castle | Castleman Disease
Dive into the intriguing world of Castleman disease, where the hosts break down its clinical and histological subtypes. Explore the differences between unicentric and multicentric classifications and their presentations. Learn about the critical role of HHV-8 in driving symptoms and the varied treatment options available. The discussion even touches on rarer variants like POEMS and TAFRO syndrome. Packed with insights and a touch of humor, this conversation sheds light on a complex topic that's often overlooked.

Sep 16, 2025 • 53min
Episode 61 - On The Wards: BiTE Me and other T Cell Tasty Treats
Dive into the world of hematology as the hosts break down the intriguing BiTE and CAR-T therapies. Discover the reasons behind these innovative treatments and the challenges they present, including peculiar side effects like cytokine release syndrome. Enjoy lighthearted discussions linking humor and immunology, with metaphors that make complex topics relatable. Learn about the neurotoxicity of immune therapies and the importance of managing symptoms effectively, all while getting insights into the evolving landscape of cancer treatment.

Sep 2, 2025 • 26min
Episode 60 - Twenty Pages About Basophils | Approach to Basophilia
Dive into the delightful world of basophils, the unsung heroes of the immune system! Discover their quirky roles in inflammation and allergies, along with the challenges of detecting basophilia in blood tests. The hosts blend humor with crucial insights about chronic myeloid leukemia and the complexities of basophilic conditions. Plus, there's fascinating trivia about snapping turtles that adds a fun twist! Tune in for a unique blend of science and wit as they uncover these minutiae.

Aug 26, 2025 • 31min
Episode 59 - A Bad (eosino-)Feeling | Approach to Eosinophilia
Dive into the world of eosinophils, those intriguing white blood cells that battle everything from parasites to pollen! Discover how these cells, once heroes against helminths, now spark allergies and complex health issues. The conversation between hosts is both informative and humorous, discussing the challenges of diagnosing eosinophilia, its implications, and unique case studies. Explore advanced diagnostic techniques and treatment options as the banter reveals the lighter side of a serious medical topic. Tune in for a blend of science and wit!

Aug 19, 2025 • 25min
Episode 58 - Not even my final form | Approach to Monocytes
Dive into the fascinating world of monocytes, the largest warriors of our immune system! Discover their crucial roles, from transforming into macrophages to fighting infections. Learn about monocytopenia, its causes, and how it can signal serious health issues. Explore the unique challenges of diagnosing chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, with its complex characteristics. With humor and engaging anecdotes, this discussion makes intricate medical topics both enlightening and entertaining!

Aug 12, 2025 • 48min
Episode 57 - Running on Fumes | Approach to Pancytopenia
Delve into the intriguing world of pancytopenia, where blood cell deficiencies spark lively discussions. Explore the various causes, from inherited syndromes to environmental toxins and nutritional deficiencies. Understand the impact of medications and the complexities of diagnosing conditions like myelodysplastic syndrome. The hosts humorously navigate the serious implications of liver failure on blood health, offering insights into timely interventions. Join this engaging journey through hematology filled with humor and expertise!

Aug 5, 2025 • 43min
Episode 56 - Lymph and Let Die | Approach to Lymphocytosis
In this insightful discussion, Lise Kempler, a hematology registrar at St. Vincent's in Sydney, dives deep into the world of lymphocytosis. She explains the vital roles of lymphocytes as the immune system's 'marathon runners' and discusses the complexities behind elevated lymphocyte counts. Topics range from the infectious causes of lymphocytosis, including the notorious Epstein-Barr Virus, to diagnostic techniques like flow cytometry. Case studies highlight real-life connections between lymphocytosis and autoimmune diseases, enriching the dialogue with medical insight and humor.

Jul 29, 2025 • 31min
Episode 55 - Too much of a good thing | Approaching Neutrophilia
Dive into the complexities of neutrophilia, where an elevated neutrophil count isn't always a bad thing! Discover reactive causes versus spurious elevations and the surprising effects of steroids. The discussion touches on how smoking influences neutrophil counts and connects chronic neutrophilia to conditions like chronic myeloid leukemia. With anecdotes and a dash of humor, the hosts explore rare disorders linked to neutrophilia and emphasize the importance of thorough investigation to understand these dynamics in clinical practice.

Jul 22, 2025 • 35min
Episode 54 - You and What Army? | Approach to Neutropenia
Dive into the fascinating world of neutropenia, where a solitary neutrophil faces off against dangerous bacteria. Discover the various causes, from nutritional deficiencies to autoimmune disorders, and the implications of low neutrophil levels. The discussion covers the importance of timely diagnosis and the complexity of treatment options like granulocyte colony stimulating factor. With humor and insight, the conversation emphasizes the significance of understanding this condition in clinical practice.