Anemia: Pathophysiology, clinical features, and laboratory evaluation

Abstract

Anemia is a common and frequently overlooked clinical problem. This article discusses the physiology of RBC production and destruction and the pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment of anemias. The classification system used presents anemia in the context of more than hemoglobin level alone. In some cases the combination of clinical signs and specific laboratory test results may warrant a diagnosis of anemia even when the hemoglobin level is in the reference range.