Chronic Blood Loss Anemia

Chronic blood loss anemia can be related with heavy menstruation in women,urinary tract abnormalities and very often with disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. The blood loss is usually in small amounts for extended period of time. This blood loss does not disrupt the blood volume. At the beggining the anemia seen can be normochromic and normocytic until the iron storage is depleted. Once the iron storage is depleted can be seen hypochromic and microcytic anemia. White blood cell count is normal and platelets can be increased. A person with gastrointestinal bleeding can present a positive fecal blood test (occult blood in feces).