Microcytosis is a blood abnormality characterized by the presence of microcytes, i.e. small red blood cells. Microcytosis can be accompanied by anemia, often due to a lack of iron in the body. More details with Dr. Claire Espanel, doctor – medical biologist.
Definition: what is microcytosis?
Microcytosis is a blood abnormality that consists of red blood cells that are smaller than normal. “Microcytosis is often due to a lack of hemoglobin in red blood cells, explains Dr. Claire Espanel, physician/medical biologist. “L’hemoglobin is a protein that contains iron. Its function is the gas exchange between cells and lungs“. Microcytosis may appear before anemia in case of iron deficiency. “This deficiency may be related to a intestinal iron absorption problem or to blood loss from chronic bleeding (digestive or gynecological). Microcytosis can also be observed in chronic inflammatory contexts often accompanied by anemia, or in congenital hemoglobin diseases such as thalassemia, this time with or without anemia depending on the type of thalassemia.“.
What are the symptoms of macrocytosis?
Isolated microcytosis is often discovered incidentally. “Symptoms are only present when anemia is associated with it“, continues the doctor. symptoms of anemia are varied: fatigue, pallor, Vertigo, shortness of breath ; tachycardia and hypotension can be seen when the anemia is important.
What causes macrocytosis?
“The most common causes of microcytosis are iron deficiency linked to chronic bleeding (rather of gynecological origin in young women, and digestive in postmenopausal women and men), a very prolonged inflammatory stateor some genetic diseases of hemoglobin (thalassemia)“, completes our interlocutor.
Is macrocytosis serious?
The importance ofanemia represents the severity factor of microcytosis. “Anemia will be all the more symptomatic if the patient has underlying diseases such as heart failure, respiratory failure…”, recognizes the specialist. In patients with a good physical shape, the body can adapt to anemia. “It can then be diagnosed only late when the hemoglobin concentration is already well reduced.“. L’iron deficiency anemia (also called iron deficiency) is common in pregnant woman given the increased needs for the baby. “Well taken care of, it does not present a risk for the child“.
“The diagnosis of microcytosis is made by a blood test allowing the realization of a Hemograms or a Complete Blood Count (NFS) highlighting a decrease in mean corpuscular volume (MCV)”, details the biologist. “On this same examination, it will be easy to see if there is anemia. In this case, the concentration of Hemoglobin will be reduced“.
What is the treatment for macrocytosis?
A treatment will be put in place if there is anemia. The isolated microcytosis usually does not require treatment. “The diagnosis of iron deficiency is made through a blood test, by measuring a ferritin. If the deficiency is confirmed, it will be necessary supplement iron but also treat the cause of the deficiency“, advises Dr. Espanel. “It is recommended for women before menopause a gynecological consultation and for postmenopausal women or men a gastroenterological advice“. Sometimes there may be recourse to the blood transfusion if the anemia is poorly tolerated by the patient. “For inflammatory anaemia, treatment of the disease causing the inflammation will tend to correct anemia physiologically. Sometimes iron deficiency anemia can be associated with inflammatory anemia“. For the hemoglobinopathies (thalassemia), the treatment can be more and less heavy depending on the type of thalassemia. “Treatment is conditioned by the presence and severity of anemia“.
Thanks to Dr Claire Espanel, doctor – medical biologist, at the Bio Medi Qual Center Laboratory in Saint Aignan (41), member of the network Les Biologistes Indépendants.
–
