Hypochromic
Hypochromic refers to a condition where the red blood cells in the body have less color than normal due to a lack of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's tissues. Hypochromic anemia is a type of anemia in which the red blood cells are paler than normal.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Hypochromic anemia can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Iron deficiency: This is the most common cause of hypochromic anemia. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin. If the body doesn't have enough iron, it can't produce enough hemoglobin, leading to anemia.
- Chronic disease: Certain chronic diseases, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, and inflammatory bowel disease, can interfere with the production of red blood cells, leading to anemia.
- Lead poisoning: Lead interferes with the body's ability to make hemoglobin.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of hypochromic anemia can vary depending on the severity of the condition. They may include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Irregular heartbeats
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Cold hands or feet
- Headache
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Hypochromic anemia is typically diagnosed through a complete blood count (CBC) test. This test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood and the percentage of your blood volume that's made up of red blood cells. If the results show that you have less hemoglobin than normal, or fewer red blood cells than normal, you may have hypochromic anemia.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for hypochromic anemia typically involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This may include:
- Iron supplements: If your anemia is caused by an iron deficiency, your doctor may recommend taking iron supplements to increase the levels of iron in your body.
- Changes in diet: Eating a diet that's high in iron-rich foods can also help increase your body's iron levels. Foods that are high in iron include red meat, poultry, seafood, and leafy green vegetables.
- Treating underlying conditions: If your anemia is caused by a chronic disease, treating that disease can help improve your anemia.
| Hypochromic Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
