Anemia is defined as a low hemoglobin level. There are three types of anemia. Microcytic hypochromic anemia is one of the most occurring types.

Signs, symptoms, and lab diagnosis of microcytic hypochromic anemia is different from other kinds of anemia.

Clinical Laboratory finding in microcytic hypochromic anemia

Following are the lab finding in microcytic hypochromic anemia

1. Red Blood Cells (RBC) size decrease as compared to normal size.
2. Hemoglobin will decrease in amount.
3. Mean carpusal volume (MCV) will be less than 83 fl.
4. Mean carpusal Hemoglobin (MCH) will be less than 27 pg.
5. Mean carpusal hemoglobin concentration will be below 32 g/dl.

5 main causes of Hypochromic microcytic anemia (mnemonic )

Causes of microcytic anemia remembered by mnemonic “L.I.S.T”

1. Iron deficiency
2. lead poisoning
3. Sideroblastic anemia
4. Hereditary causes
5. Chronic disease

Signs and symptoms of Hypochromic microcytic anemia

1. Weakness
2. Headache
3. Pale skin
4. Dizziness

What is the diagnosis of microcytic anemia?

1. Hemoglobin estimation
2. Total Red Blood cells count
3. MCV, MCH, MCHC estimation.
4. Peripheral blood smear

Microcytic hypochromic anemia definition

“Micocytic” means small in size. In microcytic anemia, red blood cells are smaller in size compare to normal red blood cells on blood film. In microcytic anemia, the MCV (mean capsule volume ) of RBC is less than normal MCV.

Hypochromic definition

“Hypochromic” means light in color as compared to normal color. In the case of microcytic hypochromic anemia, there is a smaller RBC with light red in color. The red color of RBC is due to hemoglobin, when there is a small quantity of Hemoglobin (Hb), there will be less MCH, MCHC, and light color of RBC on the blood film.