Microcytosis is a term used to describe
smaller red blood cells than normal.
Definition of microcytic anemia
Microcytosis is a term
used to describe smaller red blood cells than normal. Anemia is when you have a
small number of normally functioning red blood cells in your body.
In microcytic anemia,
your body has fewer red blood cells than normal. Its red blood cells are also
too small. Several different types of anemia can be described as microcytic
anemia.
Microcytic anemia is
caused by a condition that prevents your body from producing enough hemoglobin.
Hemoglobin is a component of the blood. It helps deliver oxygen to your tissues
and makes your red blood cells appear red.
Iron deficiency causes
most small cell anemias. Your body needs iron to produce hemoglobin. But other
conditions can also lead to microcytic anemia. To treat microcytic anemia, your
doctor will first diagnose the underlying cause.
Symptoms of microcytic anemia
At first, you may not
notice any symptoms of microcytic anemia. Symptoms usually appear in advanced
stages when a deficiency of normal red blood cells affects your tissues.
Common symptoms of
microcytic anemia include:
- fatigue, weakness and tiredness
- loss of physical strength
- shortness of breath
- dizzy
- pale skin
If you experience any of
these symptoms and they do not resolve within two weeks, make an appointment to
see a doctor.
If you experience severe
dizziness or shortness of breath, you should make an appointment to see a
doctor as soon as possible.
Types and causes of microcytic anemia
Microcytic anemia can be
further described in terms of the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells. They
can be low-colored, positive-colored, or high-colored:
1. Hypochromic
microcytic anemia
Low pigmentation means
that the hemoglobin of red blood cells is lower than normal. Low levels of
hemoglobin in red blood cells can lead to a lighter color. In small cell
hypochromic anemia, your body has lower levels of red blood cells, smaller and
paler than normal.
Most microcytic anemias
are hypochromic. Hypochromic microcytic anemia includes:
Iron
deficiency anemia: the most common cause of microcytic anemia is iron
deficiency in the blood. Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by:
- insufficient iron intake is usually due to
your diet
- unable to absorb iron due to diseases
such as celiac disease or helicobacter pylori infection
- CHRONIC BLOOD LOSS IS DUE TO FREQUENT OR
HEAVY PERIODS IN WOMEN OR BLEEDING ULCERS OR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES
THROUGH THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT (GI) FROM GI
- pregnant
Thalassemia: thalassemia
is an anemia caused by genetic abnormalities. It involves mutations in genes
needed for normal hemoglobin production.
Hemagroplasmic
anemia: hemagroplasmic anemia can be inherited due to a genetic
mutation (congenital). It can also be caused by a disease acquired later in
life that hinders your body's ability to integrate iron into one of the
ingredients needed to make hemoglobin. This leads to the accumulation of iron
in the red blood cells.
Congenital ferrophilic
anemia is usually small cell and hypochromic.
2. Positive pigmented
microcytic anemia
Normal discoloration
means that your red blood cells have a normal amount of hemoglobin, and the hue
of the red is not too light or too dark. An example of normal pigmented
microcytic anemia is:
Inflammatory
anemia and chronic diseases: anemia caused by these conditions
is usually of normal pigment and normal cells (normal red blood cell size). Normal
pigmented microcytic anemia may be seen in the following patients:
- infectious diseases such as
tuberculosis, hiv/aids or endocarditis
- people with inflammatory diseases such
as rheumatoid arthritis, crohn's disease, or diabetes
- kidney disease
- cancer
These conditions prevent
red blood cells from functioning properly. This leads to a decrease in the
absorption or utilization of iron.
3. Hyperchromic
microcytic anemia
High pigmentation means
that red blood cells have more hemoglobin than normal people do. High levels of
hemoglobin in red blood cells give them a darker red color than normal.
Congenital
spherical erythrocytic anemia: hyperpigmentic microcytic
anemia is rare. They may be caused by a genetic disorder called congenital
spherical erythrocyte anemia. This is also known as hereditary spheroid
polycythemia.
In this disease, your
red blood cell membranes cannot form correctly. This causes them to be rigid
and incorrectly spherical. They are sent to the spleen to break down and die
because they do not move correctly in the blood cells.
4. Other causes of
microcytic anemia
Other causes of
microcytic anemia include:
- lead toxicity
- copper deficiency
- excessive zinc, resulting in copper
deficiency
- drinking
- medication
Diagnosis of microcytic anemia
Microcytic anemia is
usually discovered first after your doctor requests a blood test called a
complete blood count (CBC) for other reasons. If your CBC shows you have
anemia, your doctor will ask for another smear called an outer blood smear.
The test can help detect
early small or large cell changes in red blood cells. Peripheral blood smear
may also show low, normal, or high color.
Your primary care
physician may refer you to a haematologist. A hematologist is a specialist who
specializes in dealing with blood disorders. They may best be able to diagnose
and treat specific types of microcytic anemia and determine their underlying
cause.
Once your doctor has
diagnosed you with microcytic anemia, they will conduct tests to determine the
cause of the condition. They may have blood tests to check for celiac disease. They
may test your blood and stool for helicobacter pylori infection.
If your doctor suspects
chronic blood loss is the cause of your microcytic anemia, they may ask about
other symptoms you've experienced. If you have stomach pain or other abdominal
pain, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist. A gastroenterologist may
perform an imaging test to look for different conditions. These tests include:
- abdominal ultrasound
- UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY (EGD)
- CT SCAN OF THE ABDOMEN
For women with pelvic
pain and menorrhagia, gynecologists may look for uterine fibroids or other
conditions that may cause increased flow.
Treatment of microcytic anemia
Treatment of microcytic
anemia focuses on treating the underlying cause of the disease.
Your doctor may
recommend that you take iron and vitamin c supplements. Iron helps treat
anemia, while vitamin c helps improve the body's ability to absorb iron.
If acute or chronic
blood loss causes or contributes to microcytic anemia, your doctor will focus
on diagnosing and treating the cause of the blood loss. Women with iron
deficiency in severe periods may receive hormonal therapy, such as birth
control pills.
If microcytic anemia is
so severe that you are at risk of complications such as heart failure, you may
need a blood transfusion of red blood cells from your donor. This can increase
the number of healthy red blood cells your organ needs.
Prospects for microcytic anemia
If simple nutritional
deficiencies are the cause of microcytic anemia, treatment may be relatively
simple. As long as the root cause of anemia can be treated, the anemia itself
can be treated and even cured.
In very severe cases,
untreated microcytic anemia can become dangerous. Can cause tissue hypoxia. This
is when tissues are hypoxic. It can lead to complications including:
- low blood pressure, also known as
hypotension
- coronary artery problems
- lung problems
- astound
These complications are
more common in older adults who already have lung or cardiovascular disease.
Prevention of microcytic anemia through
diet
The best way to prevent
microcytic anemia is to get enough iron in your diet. Increasing your vitamin c
intake can also help your body absorb more iron.
You may also consider
taking an iron supplement daily. These are usually recommended if you already
have anemia. You should always talk to your doctor before starting any
supplement.
You can also try to get
more nutrients through food.
Iron-rich foods include:
- red meat like beef
- poultry
- dark green leafy vegetables
- bean
- dried fruits such as raisins and
apricots
Foods
rich in vitamin c include:
- citrus fruits, especially oranges and
grapefruit
- collard
- red peppers
- brussels sprouts
- strawberry
- broccoli