Normocytic hypochromic anemia

There are many different types of anemia. Although all types of anemia are characterized by dysfunctional or low levels of red blood cells, the causes, severity, and treatment of the different kinds of anemia can vary. Anemia is a health condition that occurs when you don’t have enough red blood cells or when the red blood cells in your body are unable to function properly. Anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. There are many types of anemia. Some types of anemia can be treated easily and resolved quickly. Other types are more serious and require more intensive, possibly lifelong, treatment. This article looks at the different types of anemia, their causes, and treatment options. There are many types of Anemia is typically diagnosed with blood tests that look at the number, shape, and health of your red blood cells. If the condition is diagnosed as anemia, treatment will depend on the type of anemia you have. Anemia is typically divided into three main types, each of which can have different causes: • Microcytic: With • Normocytic: In • Macrocytic: Let’s take a closer look at these three types of anemia in more detail. In microcytic anemia, red blood cells are smaller than they should be. This happens because your red blood cells don’t have enough The types of conditions that can cause microcytic anemia include: • Iron-deficiency anemia: • • not enough iron in your diet • difficulty absorbing iron • • • Sideroblastic anemia: In • Th...

Anemia is defined as a hemoglobin level of less than the 5th percentile for age. Causes vary by age. Most children with anemia are asymptomatic, and the condition is detected on screening laboratory evaluation. Screening is recommended only for high-risk children. Anemia is classified as microcytic, normocytic, or macrocytic, based on the mean corpuscular volume. Mild microcytic anemia may be treated presumptively with oral iron therapy in children six to 36 months of age who have risk factors for iron deficiency anemia. If the anemia is severe or is unresponsive to iron therapy, the patient should be evaluated for gastrointestinal blood loss. Other tests used in the evaluation of microcytic anemia include serum iron studies, lead levels, and hemoglobin electrophoresis. Normocytic anemia may be caused by chronic disease, hemolysis, or bone marrow disorders. Workup of normocytic anemia is based on bone marrow function as determined by the reticulocyte count. If the reticulocyte count is elevated, the patient should be evaluated for blood loss or hemolysis. A low reticulocyte count suggests aplasia or a bone marrow disorder. Common tests used in the evaluation of macrocytic anemias include vitamin B 12 and folate levels, and thyroid function testing. A peripheral smear can provide additional information in patients with anemia of any morphology. Anemia is usually classified based on the size of RBCs, as measured by the mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Anemia can be microcytic ...

Overview Anemia is a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all other organs in the body. Having anemia can cause tiredness, weakness and shortness of breath. There are many forms of anemia. Each has its own cause. Anemia can be short term or long term. It can range from mild to severe. Anemia can be a warning sign of serious illness. Treatments for anemia might involve taking supplements or having medical procedures. Eating a healthy diet might prevent some forms of anemia. • • • • • Symptoms Anemia symptoms depend on the cause and how bad the anemia is. Anemia can be so mild that it causes no symptoms at first. But symptoms usually then occur and get worse as the anemia gets worse. If another disease causes the anemia, the disease can mask the anemia symptoms. Then a test for another condition might find the anemia. Certain types of anemia have symptoms that point to the cause. Possible symptoms of anemia include: • Tiredness. • Weakness. • Shortness of breath. • Pale or yellowish skin, which might be more obvious on white skin than on Black or brown skin. • Irregular heartbeat. • Dizziness or lightheadedness. • Chest pain. • Cold hands and feet. • Headaches. When to see a doctor Make an appointment with your health care provider if you're tired or short of breath and don't know why. Low levels of the protein in red blood cel...