The average volume of erythrocytes is lower: the causes

Blood cells are divided into protective and transport. Leukocytes and platelets are protective. RBCs include erythrocytes.

What is red blood cells

Erythrocytes are red blood cells. The main function they perform is the transport of blood gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen) from the tissues to the lungs and back.

To assess the state of these cells, determine some constant indicators. These include the number of erythrocytes, erythrocyte volume, their size and shape.

The number of red blood cells is determined in a general blood test. The size and shape of the cells - with microscopic examination of the blood smear. And the average volume of erythrocytes and hemoglobin concentration are determined only by special studies. Based on the data obtained, they are judged on their functional features.

In some diseases, various parameters of these cells can change.

How can you determine the average volume of red blood cells? For this, an extended general blood test is used, in which one cell can be detected.

Study of red blood cells

Determination of the average volume of erythrocytes is carried out by mathematical calculation. The indicator is determined by dividing the hematocrit by the average number of red blood cells.

This indicator plays a decisive role in the diagnosis of anemia with a change in the size of red blood cells, which leads to their inferiority and a violation of physiological function. In this regard, there is a development of a corresponding clinical picture for each disease.

A normal figure is a volume of about 90 femtoliters. An increase in this number is observed with the development of macrocytic anemia. The decrease in volume leads to the development of microspherocytosis and microcetery anemia. Such red blood cells quickly die due to their inferiority.

The average volume of erythrocytes is lowered precisely with these diseases. This is provoked by the lack of some nutrients necessary for the normal growth and development of red blood cells.

Anemia

As it was said, the main diseases, in which the average volume of erythrocytes is lowered, are anemia. All of them differ in the lack of a certain substance, which leads to an incorrect formation of red blood cells and, accordingly, a violation of their function. It was mentioned above that erythrocytes are the main transport elements of blood, i.e., first of all, oxygen delivery and exchange with carbon dioxide will be disturbed.

There are such types of anemia as iron deficiency, sideroblastic anemia, thalassemia. All these diseases, with untimely medical care, can lead to significant violations on the part of all systems and organs of the patient. It is possible to involve other elements of hematopoiesis in the pathological process.

This problem is mainly addressed by hematologists, although primary diagnostics of these diseases should be carried out by district therapists.

Because of what the anemia data develops, and what manifestations are characteristic for each of them? Why does it happen that the average volume of red blood cells is lowered?

Anemia associated with a deficiency of iron in the blood

The most common is iron deficiency anemia. This type of pathology develops as a result of a violation of the synthesis of hemoglobin, the main transport protein contained in red blood cells. This molecule is responsible for the binding of oxygen inhaled in the lungs and its transport to tissues.

Iron is the main ion necessary for building a hemoglobin molecule. With its lack in order to compensate for the need for oxygen, the body begins to produce small erythrocytes (ie, there is a replacement of the qualitative function by the number of cells).

All data are red blood cells less than normal in size. Accordingly, the average volume of erythrocytes is reduced in each cell. Such elements can not fully supply the tissues with oxygen, which provokes the development of a corresponding clinical picture.

Despite the fact that the red blood cells are formed much smaller in size than they should be, their number remains within the norm. It flows and is treated most easily from all the above forms of anemia.

Thalassemia

Thalassemia is a genetic disease leading to the synthesis of abnormal hemoglobins. There are three degrees of severity of the disease - mild, moderate and severe.

In this disease, the point mutation has a significant effect on the structure of the whole hemoglobin molecule. As a result of a genetic malfunction, chains of hemoglobin cease to form, as a result of which it becomes inferior. Such a hemoglobin can not exist in a stable state, but what does that mean? Erythrocytes, carrying a similar molecule, are unable to stay in the blood stream for a long time. Their hemolysis develops, which leads to a significant deterioration in the patient's condition and development of shock.

Due to the fact that deficient hemoglobin is produced, the red blood cell can not become as it should be. Because of this, the volume of erythrocytes decreases, the transport function is disturbed.

The disease occurs quite often, which makes it one of the main reasons for reducing the volume of red blood cells.

Sideroblastic anemia

This condition is characterized by a lack of vitamin B ₆ , which leads to a disruption in the synthetic processes that result in the formation of defective hemoglobin. In such a molecule of this protein, there is not enough coproporphyrins and proportions. Because of this, the binding of oxygen by erythrocytes is disturbed, their volume decreases.

Due to incorrect synthesis, defective erythroblasts with accumulation of iron in the cytoplasm of the cell begin to form . Visually, such cells are defined in a microscope in the form of erythroblasts with cytoplasmic inclusions.

As a result of the synthesis of defective erythrocytes, a clinic of severe anemia develops. Defective erythrocytes practically do not perform the transport function, which leads to complication of the metabolic processes and vital activity of the whole organism. The number of erythrocytes in this disease is not disturbed, but they quickly die.

This disease requires emergency intervention with appropriate therapy. If untimely assistance is provided, a lethal outcome is possible .