Table of Contents
What is microcytic and hypochromic erythrocytes?
Microcytic, hypochromic anemia, as the name suggests, is the type of anemia in which the circulating RBCs are smaller than the usual size of RBCs (microcytic) and have decreased red color (hypochromic).
What causes hypochromic RBCs?
This usually occurs when there is not enough of the pigment that carries oxygen (hemoglobin) in the red blood cells. The most common cause of hypochromia in the United States is not enough iron in the body (iron deficiency). If it is not treated, this can lead to a disorder called iron deficiency anemia.
What conditions are associated with microcytic hypochromic?
Which conditions are associated with microcytic hypochromic anemia?
| Condition | Serum Iron | Bone Marrow Iron |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic inflammation | ↓ | ++ |
| Thalassemia major | ↑ | ++++ |
| Thalassemia minor | N | ++ |
| Lead poisoning | N | ++ |
What does microcytic mean?
Microcytic anemia is defined as the presence of small, often hypochromic, red blood cells in a peripheral blood smear and is usually characterized by a low MCV (less than 83 micron 3). Iron deficiency is the most common cause of microcytic anemia.
What are the symptoms of hypochromic anemia?
Hypochromic anemia was historically known as chlorosis or green sickness for the distinct skin tinge sometimes present in patients, in addition to more general symptoms such as a lack of energy, shortness of breath, dyspepsia, headaches, a capricious or scanty appetite and amenorrhea.
Can microcytic anemia be cured?
Treatment can be relatively straightforward if simple nutrient deficiencies are the cause of microcytic anemia. As long as the underlying cause of the anemia can be treated, the anemia itself can be treated and even cured. In very severe cases, untreated microcytic anemia can become dangerous.
What vitamin deficiency causes microcytic anemia?
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of microcytic anemia. The absence of iron stores in the bone marrow remains the most definitive test for differentiating iron deficiency from the other microcytic states, ie, anemia of chronic disease, thalassemia, and sideroblastic anemia.
What is microcytic?
Is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia hypochromic?
resulting from vitamin C deficiency; hypochromic macrocytic anemia, caused by folate deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or certain chemotherapeutic agents; and pernicious anemia, resulting from vitamin B12 deficiency.
What does hypochromia present mean?
Hypochromia means that the red blood cells have less color than normal when examined under a microscope. This usually occurs when there is not enough of the pigment that carries oxygen ( hemoglobin) in the red blood cells. The most common cause of hypochromia in the United States is not enough iron in the body (iron deficiency).
What is hypochromic and hyperchromic shift?
Similarly one may ask, what is Hypochromic and Hyperchromic shift? If there is an increase in the absorptivity or cause the spectrum to become more intense, it will be referred to as a hyperchromic shift. But a decrease is referred to as a hypochromic shift. There is a variety of factors that can cause these changes.
What diseases cause low red blood cells?
Anemia due to chronic disease
What is the normal size of red blood cells?
The size of red blood cells usually falls within a range of 6 to 8 micrometers in random blood samples that have been analyzed by laboratory testing. Mature forms of the red blood cells (RBCs) are called erythrocytes, which constitute around 40 to 45% of human red blood cells.