Disease Etiology
Anemia is characterized by reduced hemoglobin or circulating red blood cell mass (1). It is often a sign or symptom of underlying illnesses or conditions or can also be caused by a variety of different drugs. Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is categorized as a microcytic anemia (cells are small in size) and it is usually a hypochromic anemia as well (cells are pale in colour). As the anemia progresses the red blood cells become smaller and more pale.