HematologyOutlines - Atlas
Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal

Microcytic RBC: MCV <80*


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› 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
  • Spherocyte
› 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:



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RBC
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