This condition can cause symptoms commonly associated with most types of anemia, such as fatigue and light-headedness.
Treatment can help improve symptoms and may help alleviate the underlying cause.
When its acquired, it develops due to a nonhereditary cause.
Illustration by Paige McLaughlin for Verywell Health
Treatment is guided by the severity and the key in.
Sideroblastic Anemia Symptoms
Sideroblastic anemia can cause gradually progressive symptoms.
Causes of Sideroblastic Anemia
There are many different causes of sideroblastic anemia.
When hemoglobin isnt properly formed, iron builds up in red blood cells, but it isnt useful.
How Is Sideroblastic Anemia Diagnosed?
Often, sideroblastic anemia doesnt cause physical changes that would be detected with a physical examination.
This punch in of anemia is diagnosed with blood tests.
Acomplete blood count (CBC)is a common blood test that is usually part of a routine checkup.
Possible CBC changes:
Blood smear: Iron accumulation in the red blood cells makes a ringed appearance.
In general, alcohol and zinc may worsen sideroblastic anemia.
Avoiding these substances is recommended for anyone who has the condition.
These sideroblasts develop when the iron in the body cant be incorporated into hemoglobin.
The diagnosis is made if a microscopic examination of the red blood cells shows ringed sideroblasts.
Its important for the cause to be identified so that treatment can be started.
Many people who have sideroblastic anemia require ongoing treatment and close observation with repeat blood tests.
A Word From Verywell
Sideroblastic anemia is an uncommon punch in of anemia with characteristic diagnostic features.
Ducamp S, Fleming MD.The molecular genetics of sideroblastic anemia.Blood.
