A double red cells population in a woman with a microcytic anemia

摘要

A 42-year-old woman was referred to hematology for a mild chronic nonregenerative microcytic anemia discovered 18 years before. The physical examination was normal. The hemoglobin level was 9.6 g/dL, with a mean corpuscular volume at 73 fL and mean hemoglobin content at 23 pg; the red cell distribution width value was high (27%). The leukocyte and platelet counts were normal. The plasma ferritin level was increased (465 |xg/L). Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed significant iron overload in the liver, estimated at 340 mumol/g.