Microcytic anaemia

Anisocytosis is the medical term for having red blood cells (RBCs) that are unequal in size. Normally, a person’s RBCs should all be roughly the same size. Anisocytosis is usually caused by another medical condition called anemia. It may also be caused other blood diseases or by certain drugs used to treat cancer. For this reason, the presence of anisocytosis is often helpful in diagnosing blood disorders like anemia. Treatment for anisocytosis depends on the cause. The condition isn’t dangerous on its own, but it does indicate an underlying problem with the RBCs. Depending on what is causing anisocytosis, the RBCs might be: • larger than normal ( • smaller than normal ( • both (some larger and some smaller than normal) The main symptoms of anisocytosis are those of anemia and other blood disorders: • weakness • fatigue • pale skin • shortness of breath Many of the symptoms are a result of a decrease in oxygen delivery to the body’s tissues and organs. Anisocytosis in turn is considered a symptom of many blood disorders. Anisocytosis is most commonly a result of another condition called There are several different types of anemia that can lead to unequally sized RBCs, including: • • • • • • Other disorders that can cause anisocytosis include: • • chronic liver disease • disorders of the thyroid In addition, certain drugs used to treat cancer, known as cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs, can result in anisocytosis. Anisocytosis may also be seen in those with cardiovascular diseas...

Macrocytic anemia is a blood disorder that happens when your bone marrow produces abnormally large red blood cells. These abnormal blood cells lack nutrients red blood cells need to function normally. Macrocytic anemia isn’t a serious illness but it can cause serious medical issues if left untreated. Overview What is macrocytic anemia? Macrocytic anemia is a What are the most common forms of macrocytic anemia? The two most common forms of macrocytic anemia are megaloblastic macrocytic anemia and non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia. • Megaloblastic macrocytic anemia: This form of macrocytic anemia happens when you don’t get enough vitamin B12 and/or vitamin B9 (folate). Without these nutrients, your bone marrow can’t make healthy red blood cells able to carry oxygen throughout your body. The unhealthy cells also die earlier than normal. • Non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia: This form of macrocytic anemia may happen if you have medical conditions that affect your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Medical conditions that cause non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia The most common medical conditions are: • Myelodysplastic syndrome: This group of disorders happens when something’s gone wrong with your bone marrow and it doesn’t make healthy blood cells. • Alcohol use disorder: Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can keep your body from absorbing vitamin B12. • Hypothyroidism: This condition affects your thyroid function and may be linked to macrocytic anemia. Diagnosis and T...

Microcytosis is a term used to describe red blood cells that are smaller than normal. Anemia is when you have low numbers of properly functioning red blood cells in your body. In microcytic anemias, your body has fewer red blood cells than normal. The red blood cells it does have are also too small. Several different types of anemias can be described as microcytic. Microcytic anemias are caused by conditions that prevent your body from producing enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a component of your blood. It helps transport oxygen to your tissues and gives your red blood cells their red color. Iron deficiency causes most microcytic anemias. Your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin. But other conditions can cause microcytic anemias, too. To treat a microcytic anemia, your doctor will first diagnose the underlying cause. You may not notice any symptoms of microcytic anemia at first. Symptoms often appear at an advanced stage when the lack of normal red blood cells is affecting your tissues. Common symptoms of microcytic anemias include: • fatigue, weakness, and tiredness • loss of stamina • shortness of breath • dizziness • pale skin If you experience any of these symptoms and they don’t resolve within two weeks, make an appointment to see your doctor. You should make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible if you experience severe dizziness or shortness of breath. Microcytic anemias can be further described according to the amount of hemoglobin in the red blo...

Normocytic anemia happens when you have fewer red blood cells than normal, and those blood cells don’t have the normal amount of hemoglobin. Most people develop normocytic anemia because they have an underlying chronic illness. Healthcare providers treat normocytic anemia by treating the underlying illness. Overview What is normocytic anemia? Normocytic anemia happens when you have fewer Healthcare providers may refer to normocytic anemia as a medical condition or as a sign of other conditions. Sometimes, people have normocytic anemia because they have an inherited condition. Most of the time, people develop normocytic anemia because they have an underlying chronic illness. Healthcare providers treat normocytic anemia by treating the underlying condition. Symptoms and Causes What causes normocytic anemia? Three main things cause normocytic anemia. You may develop normocytic anemia if: • You’re losing blood. There are many reasons why you may lose blood, such as being injured or having a medical condition that causes internal bleeding. You can develop normocytic anemia if you have heavy periods. • You have a medical condition that affects your body’s ability to make enough red blood cells (red blood cell production.) • You have a medical condition that causes your red blood cells to break down faster than normal. This is hemolysis. What medical conditions affect red blood cell production? Your bone marrow makes stem cells that mature and become red blood cells, along with w...

Thalassemias are a group of inherited microcytic, hemolytic anemias characterized by defective hemoglobin synthesis. Alpha-thalassemia is particularly common among people with African, Mediterranean, or Southeast Asian ancestry. Beta-thalassemia is more common among people with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, or Indian ancestry. Symptoms and signs result from anemia, hemolysis, splenomegaly, bone marrow hyperplasia, and, if there have been multiple transfusions, iron overload. Diagnosis is based on genetic tests and quantitative hemoglobin analysis. Treatment for severe forms may include transfusion, splenectomy, chelation, and stem cell transplantation. Thalassemia is a Overview of Hemoglobinopathies Hemoglobinopathies are genetic disorders affecting the structure or production of the hemoglobin molecule. Hemoglobin molecules consist of polypeptide chains whose chemical structure is genetically... read more that is among the most common inherited disorders of hemoglobin production. The normal adult hemoglobin molecule (Hb A) consists of 2 pairs of chains designated alpha and beta. Normal adult blood also contains ≤ 2.5% Hb A2 (composed of alpha and delta chains) and < 1.4% hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin), which has gamma chains in the place of beta chains. Thalassemia results from unbalanced hemoglobin synthesis caused by decreased production of at least one globin polypeptide chain (beta, alpha, gamma, delta). Alpha-thalassemia Alpha-thalassemia results f...