What Causes Microcytic Anemia?

Inadequate Iron Intake

Iron is naturally found in the human body and is essential for maintaining proper red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels. Almost three-quarters of the human body's iron can be found in myoglobin cells or muscle cells and red blood cells or hemoglobin cells. With inadequate iron intake, the bone marrow cannot produce enough healthy and correctly functioning red blood cells resulting in microcytic anemia. Numerous medical conditions can cause an individual to have a poor diet, such as eating disorders, gastrointestinal tract conditions, stomach problems, liver problems, and diabetes. Other causes of insufficient iron intake include individuals who are homeless or live in severe poverty, elderly individuals who do not have any variety in their diets, children who drink more then sixteen ounces of cow's milk a day, individuals following a vegan or vegetarian diet, individuals who consume excessive caffeine quantities every day, and individuals who take antacids regularly.

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