Mikrocytoser

Mikrocytoser is a term used to describe the presence of microcytes in the blood. Microcytes are red blood cells that are smaller than normal. This condition is typically identified through a complete blood count (CBC) where the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), a measure of the average size of red blood cells, is found to be low.

The most common cause of mikrocytoser is iron deficiency anemia. In this condition, the body lacks sufficient iron, which is essential for the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. Without adequate iron, red blood cells are produced with less hemoglobin, leading to their smaller size.

Other causes of mikrocytoser can include thalassemia, a group of inherited blood disorders that affect hemoglobin production, and sideroblastic anemia, a rare type of anemia where the body has iron but cannot incorporate it into hemoglobin effectively. Lead poisoning can also contribute to mikrocytoser by interfering with heme synthesis.

Diagnosing the underlying cause of mikrocytoser usually involves further blood tests to assess iron levels, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and sometimes a bone marrow biopsy. Treatment focuses on addressing the specific cause, such as iron supplementation for iron deficiency or specific therapies for thalassemia.