MICRO-T for MICROcyTic anemias

MNEMONICS

MICRO-T for MICROcyTic anemias

An acrostic for microcytic anemias is:

  • Metal poisoning  – Lead poisoning, zinc poisoning (rare), copper poisoning.
  • Iron deficiency (common) -Iron studies show a true iron deficiency.
  • Chronic Inflammation anemia – Iron studies show a functional iron deficiency
  • Ring sideroblastic anemias –  [Sideroblastic anemias: sidero = iron, blast= germ. A sideroblast is an iron-rich nucleated red blood cell in the bone marrow. Thus in sideroblastic anemia, iron studies show a truly high iron.
  • Other Hemoglobinopathies, and
  • Thalassemias
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