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What is Sideroblastic Anemia?

H. Colledge
H. Colledge

Sideroblastic anemia is a blood disorder in which the red blood cells fail to develop normally, resulting in the formation of what are known as ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow, together with general symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue and pale skin. A ring, or ringed, sideroblast is an immature red blood cell with a ring of iron around the nucleus. Sideroblastic anemia is associated with a number of different diseases and may be inherited, so that a person is born with the condition, or it can be acquired later in life. It may be part of a myelodysplastic syndrome, where blood cell production in the bone marrow becomes abnormal with the risk that it may develop into leukemia, or cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Drugs are a common cause of sideroblastic anemia, particularly alcohol, as are certain antibiotics, chemotherapy treatments and heavy metals such as lead.

Hemoglobin, the molecule that binds oxygen inside a red blood cell, consists of a globin portion, made up of proteins, and a heme portion, which normally contains iron. In sideroblastic anemia, the immature red blood cells in the bone marrow fail to take up iron properly into the heme part of hemoglobin, with the result that iron is deposited in the substance of the cell, characteristically forming a ring around the nucleus. This is known as a sideroblastic ring and the cells are referred to as ring, or ringed, sideroblasts.

Sideroblastic anemia occurs when red blood cells fail to normally develop.
Sideroblastic anemia occurs when red blood cells fail to normally develop.

The majority of cases of sideroblastic anemia are acquired rather than inherited, with alcohol abuse being the most common cause overall. Other causes include drugs such as isoniazid, used in the treatment of tuberculosis, deficiencies of copper and vitamin B6, and lead or zinc poisoning, as well as the myelodysplastic syndromes and other bone marrow diseases. Inherited forms of the condition are more common in men, and in mild cases it can remain undetected until the age of around 40 or over.

Sideroblastic anemia can be diagnosed by looking at the bone marrow under a microscope.
Sideroblastic anemia can be diagnosed by looking at the bone marrow under a microscope.

Sideroblastic anemia can be diagnosed by looking at the bone marrow under a microscope, where ring sideroblasts can be seen. Some of the cells from the general circulation will usually appear pale, lacking the typical red color associated with normal amounts of hemoglobin. In the hereditary forms of the anemia, the cells may also be smaller than usual.

Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of sideroblastic anemia.
Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of sideroblastic anemia.

Inherited sideroblastic anemia can sometimes be treated with vitamin B6, with the treatment being taken for life if the disease responds. While some of the causes of acquired sideroblastic anemia can be reversed, such as certain antibiotics being replaced by others or the consumption of alcohol being stopped, this is not always possible. Treatment with vitamin B6 can also work in some cases of the acquired anemia, and sometimes a blood transfusion may be carried out.

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    • Sideroblastic anemia occurs when red blood cells fail to normally develop.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      Sideroblastic anemia occurs when red blood cells fail to normally develop.
    • Sideroblastic anemia can be diagnosed by looking at the bone marrow under a microscope.
      By: luchschen_shutter
      Sideroblastic anemia can be diagnosed by looking at the bone marrow under a microscope.
    • Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of sideroblastic anemia.
      By: Artem Furman
      Alcohol abuse is the most common cause of sideroblastic anemia.
    • Sideroblastic anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue and pale skin.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Sideroblastic anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue and pale skin.
    • General fatigue is often the first sign of sideroblastic anemia.
      By: Focus Pocus LTD
      General fatigue is often the first sign of sideroblastic anemia.
    • A blood transfusion may be a treatment option for inherited sideroblastic anemia.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      A blood transfusion may be a treatment option for inherited sideroblastic anemia.
    • Chemotherapy treatments may be the cause of sideroblastic anemia.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Chemotherapy treatments may be the cause of sideroblastic anemia.