microcytic anaemia
Last edited 05/2022 and last reviewed 05/2022
This is a type of anaemia where the mean cell volume (MCV) is less than 80 femtolitres (normal range = 80-100 fL).
The average erythrocyte is seen smaller than normal and much smaller than a leukocyte. Microcytic cells can appear to have a large area of central pallor.
The most common cause of microcytic anaemia is iron deficiency anaemia*. This shows a microcytic, hypochromic blood film with anisocytosis and poikilocytosis.
* NICE guidance states (2):
- if iron-deficiency anaemia and aged 60 and over then refer people using a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks)
- iron-deficiency anaemia (unexplained) with rectal bleeding in adults under 50 then consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks)
- if iron-deficiency anaemia without rectal bleeding in adults under 60 then offer testing for occult blood in faeces (FIT)
Note that reference ranges may vary between laboratories.
References:
- (1) Maner BS, Moosavi L. Mean Corpuscular Volume. [Updated 2021 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545275/
- (2) NICE (June 2015). Suspected cancer: recognition and referral (accessed on 9/5/2022)
hypochromic microcytic anaemia - diferentiation via laboratory investigations