Definitions - low MCV indicating small RBCs
Most common cause - IDA
A helpful mnemonic for understanding the causes of microcytic anaemia is TAILS.
- T – Thalassaemia (genetic, RBC are fragile and break down easier)
- A – Anaemia of chronic disease
- I – Iron deficiency anaemia
- L – Lead poisoning
- S – Sideroblastic anaemia - The sideroblastic anemias are a group of blood disorders in which the body has enough iron but is unable to use it to make hemoglobin