Peripheral blood smear in iron deficiency anemia showing microcytic, hypochromic red blood cells

The same peripheral blood smear from a patient with iron deficiency is shown at two different magnifications. Small (microcytic) red blood cells are shown, many of which have a thin rim of pink hemoglobin (hypochromia). Occasional "pencil"-shaped cells are also present. A small lymphocyte is shown for size comparison (arrow). Normal red blood cells are similar in size to the nucleus of a small lymphocyte (arrow), and central pallor in normal red blood cells should equal approximately one-third of the cell diameter.

High-power view of a normal peripheral blood smear. Several platelets (arrowheads) and a normal lymphocyte (arrow) can also be seen. The red cells are of relatively uniform size and shape. The diameter of the normal red cell should approximate that of the nucleus of the small lymphocyte; central pallor (dashed arrow) should equal one-third of its diameter.