Anemia

Abstract

Abnormalities in the routine blood count alert the physician to hematologic problems. The most common of these are red cell abnormalities as reflected in decreased levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit together with changes in mean corpuscular volume and red cell morphology. When the history and physical examination are not diagnostic, systematic use of laboratory tests can determine the category of anemia present. An approach for the laboratory workup of anemia is discussed. Particular attention is paid to the differential diagnosis of the most common anemias in which iron is the limiting factor in erythropoiesis.