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. 2010 Dec 29:26–455. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-443-07151-5.50005-6

Table 3.9.

Main causes and classification of anaemias

Type of anaemia Examples
Microcytic hypochromic

  • Iron deficiency

  • Thalassaemia
Macrocytic

  • Vitamin B12 deficiency

  • Folate deficiency

  • Haemolysis

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Liver disease

  • Aplastic anaemia
Normocytic

  • Chronic diseases

  • Renal failure

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Haemolysis:
    • –
      metabolic defects of red cells
    • –
      red cell membrane defects
    • –
      haemoglobin abnormalities, e.g. sickling disorders (disorders of structure), thalassaemia (disorders of chain number)