What Causes Microcytic Anemia?
When red blood cells are smaller in size than normal, this is described as microcytosis. Fewer than normal correctly working red cells in the body is described as anemia. Microcytic anemia is a combination of these two conditions, where the red blood cells are abnormally small and the body has abnormally low quantities of red blood cells on top of that. In order for the tissues throughout the body to receive an adequate amount of oxygen to function properly, there must be enough red blood cells, and there must be enough hemoglobin in these red blood cells. Ideally, the hemoglobin in the red blood cells binds with the oxygen when they pass through the lungs, and then pumped by the heart back to other parts of the body where the oxygen is delivered. In microcytic anemia, the body has trouble carrying out this function because there is simply not enough red blood cells and hemoglobin to get the job done. This can eventually lead to tissue damage and organ failure. Learn about the various causes of microcytic anemia now.