Here is data from a CBC in a person with iron deficiency anemia. Note the low hemoglobin (HGB). Microcytosis is indicated by the low MCV (mean corpuscular volume). Hypochromia correlates here with the low MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin).


Iron deficiency is treated in most cases with oral iron. Parenteral iron has a risk for anaphylaxis, and may be considered if oral iron is not tolerated. Blood transfusion is not used to treat iron deficiency, but used only if the anemia is severe enough to cause hemodynamic instability. An underlying cause for iron deficiency, such as chronic blood loss, should not be overlooked.