In iron deficiency anemia, the red blood cells are typically described as which combination of color and size?

• A. Normochromic and normocytic
• B. Hypochromic and microcytic
• C. Hyperchromic and macrocytic
• D. Normochromic and microcytic

Answer: (B)

Iron deficiency anemia makes hemoglobin synthesis fall short, so red blood cells end up with less hemoglobin and are smaller in size. That combination is what you’d describe as hypochromic (pale color due to low Hb) and microcytic (smaller than normal). Clinically, this shows as a low MCV (microcytosis) and low MCHC (hypochromia), which is the classic pattern for iron deficiency. Other patterns don’t fit: normochromic normocytic would be normal Hb content and normal size, seen in some other anemias; macrocytic with hyperchromic would point to vitamin B12/folate–related cases, where cells are larger rather than smaller.