Microcytic anaemia
Causes
*in beta-thalassaemia minor the microcytosis is often disproportionate to the anaemia
A question sometimes seen in exams gives a history of a normal haemoglobin level associated with a microcytosis. In patients not at risk of thalassaemia, this should raise the possibility of polycythaemia rubra vera which may cause an iron-deficiency secondary to bleeding.
- iron-deficiency anaemia
- thalassaemia*
- congenital sideroblastic anaemia
- anaemia of chronic disease (more commonly a normocytic, normochromic picture)
- lead poisoning
*in beta-thalassaemia minor the microcytosis is often disproportionate to the anaemia
A question sometimes seen in exams gives a history of a normal haemoglobin level associated with a microcytosis. In patients not at risk of thalassaemia, this should raise the possibility of polycythaemia rubra vera which may cause an iron-deficiency secondary to bleeding.