What does this mean? peripheral blood: -microcytic hypochromic red blood cells the patient's rbc indices can be seen with thalassemia. consider hemoglobin electrophoresis if microcytosis persists after iron replacement?

Further work up, if needed, depends on the total red blood cell count. If the total red cell count is high or on the higher limit of normal range, you or this person has a condition called thalassemia trait and hemoglobin electrophoresis can confirm this condition but not necessary. However, if your total red cell count is low which means you probably have iron deficiency anemia.

It means your anemia is most likely of blood loss or iron deficient. If it does not normalize per iron replacement it may be due to a genetic or inherited condition called thalassemia that can be diagnosed with a different test. Your doc remains your best reference at this point and proper follow up will be critical.