Microcytic anemia is caused by low levels of red blood cells and smaller red blood cells, often due to iron deficiency or inherited blood disorders. Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, and difficulty concentrating. Treatment involves investigating the cause and may include iron-rich foods or supplements, and in severe cases, blood transfusions.
Anemia is a condition in which the number or count of red blood cells (RBCs) in the circulation is abnormally low. When the decrease in red blood cells is accompanied by lighter and smaller red blood cells, it is usually referred to as microcytic anemia. Micro is a term meaning small and cytic comes from the medical term cyte, which refers to a cell. Microcytic anemia is commonly caused by iron deficiency or deficiency in the diet, inadequate iron absorption due to intestinal disease, and other inherited blood disorders such as thalassemia. Thalassemia is a type of blood disorder in which the body produces abnormally structured hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body, is found inside red blood cells. It contains iron and gives blood its red color, so low iron usually leads to smaller, clearer red blood cells. During growth and healing the body absorbs and requires more iron, so children, pregnant women and sick individuals are generally more susceptible to developing iron deficiency anemia and microcytic anemia. Without iron replacement, the body’s ability to make new red blood cells is often impaired. When this happens, oxygen delivery to vital organs is often impaired, resulting in symptoms of microcytic anemia.
Symptoms of microcytic anemia include loss of appetite, mouth sores, thin or brittle nails, and pale skin, lips, and eyelids. An affected individual may also experience fatigue, weakness, frequent headaches, and lightheadedness. Other symptoms are difficulty sleeping and problems concentrating, chest pain, irregular and rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath when exercising. Anemic women also experience discomfort during heavy menstrual flows.
Doctors, who manage patients with microcytic anemia, often evaluate these patients with the help of a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). This is usually done by drawing an adequate amount of blood for analysis in the laboratory. These blood samples are also viewed under a microscope, a device that can magnify cells to many times their actual size. Blood count results include the number of red blood cells and other blood components and also the hemoglobin level.
Treatment of microcytic anemia often involves investigating its cause. When it is found to be caused by an iron-deficient diet, doctors often recommend that patients include iron-rich foods in their diet and take iron supplements. Examples of iron-rich foods are egg yolks, liver, beans and raisins, among many others. Iron-fortified foods, such as pasta, breads, and cereals, are also available. Blood transfusion is also sometimes needed when a patient with microcytic anemia has a very low red blood cell count and already has severe symptoms.
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