Microcytic anemia

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Microcytic anemia is characterized by small red blood cells. The normal mean corpuscular volume (abbreviated to MCV on full blood count results) is 80-100 fl, with smaller cells described as microcytic and larger cells as macrocytic.

Microcytic anemia is caused by a lack of hemoglobin, meaning that cell division in the bone marrow continues for longer than usual, resulting in smaller cells. Hemoglobinopathies such as sickle-cell disease and the thalassemias are one relatively common cause of a hemoglobin shortage.

Iron deficiency anemia is not always microcytic, but because it makes up such a large percentage of all anemias, it is also a strong possibility.