Which type of anemia is characterized by an iron deficiency of less than 80?

Microcytic anemia is characterized by a deficiency of iron, which results in the production of smaller-than-normal red blood cells, known as microcytes. When the body's iron stores are depleted, hemoglobin synthesis is impaired, leading to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. This condition is often indicated by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) that falls below the normal range, typically considered to be less than 80 femtoliters.

In microcytic anemia, the lack of sufficient iron affects the ability of the bone marrow to produce healthy red blood cells effectively. This type of anemia is commonly associated with chronic blood loss, dietary deficiencies, and certain genetic conditions. Because iron is crucial for hemoglobin production, insufficient iron directly correlates with the development of smaller and fewer red blood cells.

In contrast, macrocytic anemia involves larger red blood cells caused by deficiencies in vitamin B12 or folate, while normocytic anemia typically presents with red blood cells that are normal in size but reduced in number due to various underlying conditions. Hemolytic anemia is characterized by the premature destruction of red blood cells. Each of these other types of anemia operates under different pathophysiological mechanisms and causes, which is why they