Understanding the causes, symptoms and treatments of anaemias

Blood is a fluid connective tissue consisting of plasma, erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. Samples of blood can be separated by centrifugation, allowing the packed red cell volume or haematocrit to be determined. A reduced haematocrit or low haemoglobin level are frequently used to diagnose anaemia. The mean corpuscular volume allows classification of anaemia into microcytic, macrocytic and normocytic forms. Microcytic anaemia is commonly caused by iron deficiency; macrocytic anaemias can be caused by folate or cobalamin deficiency and are also associated with alcohol abuse; normocytic anaemias can be caused by depressed bone marrow activity and are associated with many chronic diseases.

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In this article…

• What are the different types of anaemia

• Features of iron-deficiency anaemia explained

• The role of folate and cobalamin deficiency in megaloblastic anaemia

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Key points

Erythrocytes (red blood cells) are generated by red bone marrow

Haematocrit score and haemoglobin levels are used to help diagnose anaemia

Anaemias can be classified into microcytic, macrocytic and normocytic forms

Adequate iron, folate and cobalamin are essential for efficient and healthy erythrocyte production

Anaemia may be caused by dietary deficiency, blood loss, erythrocyte destruction and depressed bone marrow activity