Microcytic anemia

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Microcytic anaemia is any of several types of anemia characterized by smaller than normal red blood cells (called microcytes). The normal mean corpuscular volume of a red blood cell is approximately 80–100 fL. When the MCV is <80 fL, the red cells are described as microcytic. MCV is the average red blood cell size. The main causes of microcytic anemia are iron-deficiency, lead poisoning, thalassemia, and anemia of chronic disease. In microcytic anemia, the red blood cells (erythrocytes) contain less hemoglobin and are usually also hypochromic, meaning that the red blood cells appear paler than usual. This can be reflected by a low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), a measure representing the amount of hemoglobin per unit volume of fluid inside the cell; normally about 320–360 g/L or 32–36 g/dL. Typically, therefore, anemia of this category is described as "microcytic, hypochromic anemia".

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