Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal

Microcytic RBC: MCV <80*


Click Here for Full Size

---

› Microscopic Features:

• Slightly smaller than a normal mature RBC which correlates to the MCV of <80 fL
• pallor is usually present (as opposed to a microspherocyte)
• Can be hypochromic (central pallor greater than 1/3 of cell diameter)

› Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:

• PB: Rare to None
• BM: Rare to None
• LN: Rare to None

› May Resemble:

• Normal Mature RBC [Compare]
• Spherocyte [Compare]

› Differential Diagnoses:

Increased in: Remember the Mnemonic "Puny TICS": "Puny" for Pyridoxine deficiency "T" for Thalassemia "I" for Iron deficiency anemia "C" for Chronic disease anemia (sometimes): AKA Anemia of Chronic Disease "S" for Sideroblastic anemia (e.g. Lead poisoning): sometimes

› Classic Immunophenotype:

• N/A

› Cartoon Image:


Click and drag

for direct comparison
› Misc:

• Remember the Mnemonic "Puny TICS": "Puny" for Pyridoxine deficiency "T" for Thalassemia "I" for Iron deficiency anemia "C" for Chronic disease anemia (sometimes) "S" for Sideroblastic anemia (e.g. Lead poisoning): sometimes