title: Investigation of microcytic anemia.
abstract: This article on microcytic anemia is the first of several on laboratory investigation of anemia. Microcytic anemia, characterized by a mean corpuscular volume of less than 80 cu mu, is usually due to iron deficiency or chronic disease but may signify thalassemia minor. Exact identification of the cause is important, since inappropriate iron therapy may be useless or even dangerous.
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004588:Electrophoresis, Cellulose Acetate; D004911:Erythrocyte Volume; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron