Causes
The condition results from one of the three following causes, though more than one may be present:
- Diminished production of normal red cells by the bone marrow. This implies failure or suppression of the normal mechanisms promoting red cell production, or deficiency of factors required for the maturation of the red cell.
- Excessive destruction of red cells.
- Loss of blood, which may be acute or chronic.
Blood loss from the body results in loss of iron, with a consequent deficiency of haemoglobin synthesis.
