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A member asked:
Why is iron deficiency anemia a microcytic anemia?
5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Microcytic: Iron is needed in order for the body to produce hemoglobin (hb) -a substance in red blood cells (rbc) that enables them to carry oxygen.Without hb, RBC will not be able to transport blood to tissues. Microcytosis means the presence of rbcs with a MCV (volume of average rbc) less than normal--smaller rbc. In iron deficiency- there is decreased hb content within the rbc, so it is smaller /microcytic.
Answered 11/8/2018
5.9k views
Decreased Hemoglobin: Red blood cells (rbcs) are essentially little bags carrying lots of hemoglobin (hb). Iron is an important constituent of the hb molecule. Low iron = low hemoglobin = less packing into rbc. Since the RBC is now filled less, a microcytic anemia results.
Answered 5/13/2019
5.9k views
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