Internal Bleeding
One of the most common causes of microcytic anemia is internal bleeding. It can happen when there is bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract or people with blood disorders such as sickle cell disease. Internal bleeding can also happen if an individual takes certain medications, such as aspirin or blood thinners.
When bleeding inside the body, red blood cells are lost along with the blood. It can decrease the number of red blood cells circulating in the body, which can cause anemia. In addition, when red blood cells are lost through bleeding, they are not replaced as quickly as they would be if they were just lost through natural cell turnover. Anemia caused by blood loss tends to be microcytic because it takes time for the bone marrow to ramp up the production of new red blood cells to replace those lost.
Individuals who are suffering internal bleeding must seek medical attention immediately. The treatment for internal bleeding will depend on the severity of the bleeding and the underlying cause. Surgery may sometimes be necessary to stop the bleeding and repair any damage.
