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Classification of Anaemia: Three Main Ways by Samwel Mikaye
Jan 6, 2026, 08:16

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.”

Classification of Anaemia: Three Main Ways by Samwel Mikaye

More posts featuring Samwel Mikaye on Hemostasis Today.