Anemia Types & Management

Anemia is grouped by red blood cell size (MCV on a CBC), which quickly narrows the likely cause: microcytic anemia (small cells) most often means iron deficiency; macrocytic anemia (large cells) points to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency; and normocytic anemia (normal-sized cells) suggests causes like acute blood loss, chronic disease, or aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure to produce cells). Shared symptoms across types include fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath with exertion, but the treatment differs entirely by cause, which is why identifying the type — not just treating "low hemoglobin" generically — matters.