Lead poisoning is associated with which type of anemia?

Lead poisoning is associated with microcytic anemia due to several factors related to the impact of lead on heme synthesis in the body. Lead interferes with the biosynthesis of heme, a crucial component of hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

In cases of lead exposure, the disruption of heme production often leads to a decrease in hemoglobin synthesis and the production of smaller red blood cells (microcytes) in the bone marrow. Moreover, lead inhibits the enzyme ferrochelatase and disrupts the incorporation of iron into heme, leading to a deficiency of functional hemoglobin. As a result, the red blood cells produced are not only smaller but also exhibit an increase in the amount of iron in the body, which further contributes to microcytic anemia.

This condition is characterized by low mean corpuscular volume (MCV), reflecting the size of the red blood cells, as well as other laboratory findings that support the diagnosis. Understanding the relationship between lead poisoning and microcytic anemia is crucial for diagnosing and managing patients with potential lead exposure.