Classification of Anaemia: Three Main Ways by Samwel Mikaye
Samwel Mikaye, CEO of SaMik Medical Center, shared on LinkedIn:
“CLASSIFICATION OF ANAEMIA
Anaemia can be classified in three main ways:
1. MORPHOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
(Based on RBC size and hemoglobin content – MCV & MCHC)
A. Microcytic Hypochromic Anaemia (Low MCV)
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Thalassemia
- Sideroblastic anaemia
- Anaemia of chronic disease (sometimes)
B. Normocytic Normochromic Anaemia (Normal MCV)
- Acute blood loss
- Haemolytic anaemia
- Aplastic anaemia
- Anaemia of chronic disease
- Chronic kidney disease
C. Macrocytic Anaemia (High MCV)
- Megaloblastic anaemia
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Folic acid deficiency
- Non-megaloblastic
- Liver disease
- Alcoholism
- Hypothyroidism
- Drugs (e.g. methotrexate)
2. ETIOLOGICAL / PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION
A. Anaemia due to Blood Loss
- Acute (trauma, surgery)
- Chronic (peptic ulcer, hookworm, menorrhagia)
B. Anaemia due to Decreased RBC Production
- Iron deficiency
- Vitamin B12 / folate deficiency
- Aplastic anaemia
- Chronic kidney disease (↓ erythropoietin)
- Bone marrow infiltration (leukemia, malignancy)
C. Anaemia due to Increased RBC Destruction (Haemolytic Anaemia)
1. Intrinsic (Corpuscular)
- Hereditary spherocytosis
- Sickle cell disease
- Thalassemia
- G6PD deficiency
2. Extrinsic (Extracorpuscular)
- Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
- Malaria
- Hypersplenism
- Mechanical (prosthetic valves)
3. CLINICAL CLASSIFICATION
A. Mild Anaemia
- Hb 10–12 g/dL
B. Moderate Anaemia
- Hb 7–9.9 g/dL
C. Severe Anaemia
- Hb <7 g/dL
If asked “classification of anaemia” without specification, start with morphological classification—it scores best in exams.”
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