In microcytic anemia, your body has fewer red blood cells than normal. The red blood cells it does have are also too small. Several different types of anemias can be described as microcytic. Microcytic anemias are caused by conditions that prevent your body from producing enough hemoglobin.

• The most common cause of microcytic anemia is  iron deficiency in the blood.
• Thalassemia is a type of anemia that’s caused by an inherited abnormality. It involves mutations in the genes needed for normal hemoglobin production.
• Sideroblastic anemia can be inherited due to gene mutations . It can also be caused by a condition acquired later in life that impedes your body’s ability to integrate iron into one of the components needed to make hemoglobin. This results in a buildup of iron in your red blood cells.
• Lead toxicity
• copper deficiency
• zinc excess, which causes copper deficiency
• alcohol use
• drug use

How to diagnose iron deficiency anemia?