Red blood cells make up about 44 percent of our total blood volume. These cells pick up oxygen in our lungs and deliver it throughout our bodies. Along the way, they gather carbon dioxide and carry it back to the lungs to be exhaled. Normal red blood cells measure six to eight micrometers in diameter. That’s the size they need to be to hold enough hemoglobin to do their jobs.
For people with microcytosis, their red blood cells are smaller than normal. Instead of measuring the typical six to eight micrometers in diameter, their red blood cells measure less than six micrometers. With that being the case, they can’t carry enough hemoglobin to deliver adequate oxygen or remove as much carbon dioxide as they should. If you’re wondering what microcytosis means for your health or that of a loved one, read on to learn more.
Taking a Closer Look at Microcytosis
Microcytosis is usually discovered during routine blood tests. As far as numbers go, it appears as a low mean corpuscular volume, or MCV. Finding out that your red blood cells are smaller than normal and potentially not capable of working properly can certainly be frightening. It’s important to understand, though, that microcytosis isn’t a disease in and of itself; it’s an indication that something deeper might be wrong.
This condition is often linked to anemia. That’s a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough healthy red blood cells. That can lead to symptoms like pale skin, weakness, shortness of breath, lack of energy, and feeling cold when everyone else is comfortable. On the other hand, some people with microcytosis don’t experience any noticeable symptoms at all.
What Causes Microcytosis?
A few underlying conditions can cause the body to produce smaller-than-average red blood cells. One of the most common is iron deficiency anemia. Iron is crucial for producing hemoglobin. When someone isn’t getting enough of it, whether it’s because they’re not taking in adequate amounts or their body can’t absorb enough of it, that can result in unusually small red blood cells.
Another possible cause of microcytosis is thalassemia. That’s an inherited condition in which the body produces abnormal hemoglobin. That often causes the body to produce red blood cells that are smaller than normal, but it produces them in unusually high volumes. With thalassemia, people may still have enough iron in their systems even though their RBCs are small.
Chronic inflammation can also lead to microcytosis. When people suffer from chronic inflammation, the body may trap iron in specific types of white blood cells called macrophages. That keeps it from getting into the bone marrow where it can be used to produce hemoglobin.
People with a condition known as sideroblastic anemia suffer from the same issue: their bodies can’t use iron properly to produce healthy hemoglobin, so their red blood cells are smaller than they should be. Lead poisoning, drug or alcohol abuse, copper deficiencies, and certain medications can interfere with iron absorption and hemoglobin production as well.
Treating Microcytosis
Treating microcytosis typically means addressing its underlying cause. In cases of iron or copper deficiency, supplements or changes in diet can resolve it. For people with thalassemia, treatment may not be necessary at all because their higher RBC count makes up for the smaller cell size. In people who suffer from chronic inflammation, treating the conditions that cause it tends to help.
