Erythrocytes

• Oval biconcave disk, of size 6 – 8 micron.
• They lack a cell nucleus and most organelles.

Abnormal shapes of the Red Blood Cells

RBC with increase RDW are called as anisocytosis.

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

Microcytosis is reduced average red cell size. Less than 80 Femtolitre of MCV is defined as Microcytosis. e.g. Iron deficiency anemia, Thalassemia, Sideroblastic anemia.

Macrocytosis is reduced average red cell size. Greater than 100 Femtolitre of MCV is defined as Macrocytosis. e.g. B12 or Folic acid deficiency, Hypothyroidism, Liver disease, Alcoholism, Myelodysplastic syndrome.