microcytosis

Introduction

The presence of small erythrocytes (< 5 uM) in peripheral blood.

Etiology

• iron deficiency anemia
• spherocytosis (erythrocytes appear small on peripheral smear but MCV is generally elevated)
• thalassemia

More general terms

• sign/symptom

More specific terms

• microcytic anemia

Additional terms

• mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
• microocyte