Table 2.
Causes of anemia and influence on red blood cell morphology and reticulocyte count.
| Morphology | Reticulocyte count | Examples of causes of anemia |
|---|---|---|
| Macrocytic anemia (MCV > 100 fl) | normal/low | Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency |
| Drug induced (azathioprin, sulfasalazin, methotrexate) | ||
| Myelodysplatic syndrome | ||
| elevated | Hemolysis | |
| Myelodysplastic syndrome with hemolysis | ||
| Normocytic anemia (MCV between 80 and 100 fl) | normal/low | Early iron deficiency anemia |
| Anemia of chronic disease | ||
| Aplastic anemia | ||
| Renal anemia | ||
| Acute hemorrhage | ||
| elevated | Hemolysis | |
| Myelodysplastic syndrome with hemolysis | ||
| Microcytic anemia (MCV < 80 fl) | normal/low | Iron deficiency anemia |
| Anemia of chronic disease (mostly normocytic) | ||
| Hereditary anemia | ||
| elevated | Hemoglobinopathies (e.g. thalassemia) |
MCV, mean corpuscular volume.