Types of anemia according to RBC indices and causes

 RBC(Red blood cells) indices are part of complete blood picture examination.

Usually measured RBC indices are:
-Number of RBC.
Normal values:
Male: 4.7 to 6.1 million cells /mcL
Female: 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcL
Decreased number of RBC indicate anemia.

-MCV (mean corpuscular volume) - the average red blood cell size.
Normal value:  80 to 100 femtoliter

-MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) -the amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell.
Normal value: 27 to 31 picograms/cell

-MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration)- the amount of hemoglobin relative to the size of the cell or hemoglobin concentration per red blood cell.
Normal value: 32 to 36 grams/deciliter

Depending on these indices anemias can be classified as:
-Normocytic and normochromic anemia:
• decreased number of RBC with normal hemoglobin content, MCV and MCHC.
•Causes:
Sudden and significant blood loss Prosthetic heart valve
Tumors
Any chronic disease
Aplastic anemia etc.

-Microcytic and hypochromic anemia:
•decreased number of RBC with low MCV and MCHC.
•causes:
iron deficiency
lead poisoning
thalassemia etc.

-Macrocytic and normochromic anemia:
•decreased number of RBC with high MCV and normal MCHC.
•Causes:
B-12 and/or folate deficiency
Pernicious anemia
Chemotherapy etc.

-Macrocytic and hyperchromic anemia:
•decreased number of RBC with high MCV and MCHC.
•Causes:
Folic acid deficiency
Chronic alcoholism
Using drugs which are having antagonistic activity to folic acid like cotrimoxacol  and triamteren etc.