Sideroblastic anemia

A disease in which the bone marrow produces sideroblasts rather than normal RBC precursors. It can be caused by a genetic disorder or acquired such as in lead poisoning, zinc excess or sometimes seen with some myelodysplastic syndromes. In sideroblasic anemia, the body cannot properly utilize and incorporate iron into hemoglobin, therefore leading to an excess iron accumulation. The MCV is usually microcytic in sideroblastic anemia due to lead poisoning or congenital sideroblastic anemia while those associated with MDS can be macrocytic.