Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Tests for Normocytic Anemia

Submitted on March 27, 2012

Before getting into the details of the variant of Normocyctic anemia, it is important to understand exactly what anemia is. Anemia is primarily a medical condition in which the red blood cells that are concerned with carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body do not contain enough of the hemoglobin protein that contains the oxygen. The most common type of anemia is characterized by the distinct lack of adequate red blood cells in the bloodstream of an individual.

Tests Recommended

Normocytic anemia tests are usually ordered when the doctor notices the symptoms of the condition start to progress rather suddenly. The testing is usually done through the method of routine blood testing or through a complete blood count test, also known as a CBC. The blood test is performed on a sample of the patient's blood that may be extracted in a hospital or even a doctor's clinic. When performing the blood tests, the nurse or doctor will first apply some kind of antiseptic over the area of the arm where the blood sample will be taken from. This is usually on the inner side of the elbow. A stirrup will then be fastened to the top of the arm in order to restrict blood flow - causing the veins to swell up and become more prominent. This makes is much easier for the doctor to identify the right spot to insert the needle of the syringe into and take the sample of blood. Once the vein has swollen up, the syringe inserted into the vein and the stirrup unfastened in order to allow for easy collection of the blood sample. All the extracted blood is then collected in the vial connected to the syringe in order to be sent to the laboratory for testing. The syringe is removed and the point of entry and the wound is covered with a small sterilized piece of cotton in order to stem the bleeding.

Normocytic anemia test results will then be returned from the lab to your doctor in a couple of days and be analyzed before your doctor discusses them with you. In the event that the complete blood count shows a rather low number of normal sized red blood cells, it is likely that your doctor will want to have some other medical tests performed. This will be necessary in order to identify the root cause of the condition. In the event that the condition is a hereditary one, it is likely that your doctor will want to have some of your family members tested for the condition as well.


Normocytic anemia is a type of anemia that is most commonly known to develop due to ageing - with studies showing that it is most likely to affect women over the age of 85. However, it is important to remember that the condition is not solely related to an individual's age and there are a number of instances in which an individual can be born with the condition as well. One of the other normocytic anemia causes is the presence of another medical condition already present in the body. This condition could be anything including kidney diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroids and even cancer. An individual's diet is another factor that plays a huge role in the development of anemia, with the lack of iron in the diet being the primary contributor although a lack of vitamins is also a very likely cause.


Normocytic anemia symptoms are not very prominent as the condition will usually tend to build up over a period of time. However, when it has fully progressed, the condition will see the individual experience a number of notable problems including weakness, looking very pale due to a lack of adequate blood flow and feeling dizzy or weak in sudden spikes in the seriousness of the condition.


Normocytic anemia treatment is more focused around the kind of lifestyle that one leads as well as controlling the factors that influence it in the first place. For instance if the condition is caused by some other medical condition then it is important for you to abide work towards healing that condition with the help of medication provide by the doctor. In cases where the effects of normocytic anemia are very prominent, your doctor may even have you get regular injections of erythropoietin. This is a substance that helps your bone marrow produce more blood cells - thereby helping all areas of your body receive more oxygen and get rid of issues like regular drowsiness as well as weakness and nausea.

A diet rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients is very important when attempting to rid your body of such a physically draining medical condition. In the event that you are pregnant, it helps to increase your intake of vitamins significantly in order to ensure that the baby also gets its share of nutrition. This will help its immune system develop significantly in order to guard it against a number of medical illnesses when it starts to mature as a child.

Since this is a rather commonly faced condition all over the world, there are a number of Normocytic anemia treatment options and home remedies that can be used effectively. For instance, one of the most highly touted home remedies when dealing with anemia of any kind is to consume a single ripe banana along with about 2 teaspoons of honey at least twice a day on a regular basis. Creating a mixture of apple juice and tomato juice is also known to be a very effective method of treatment. You can also try soaking about 10 black currants over night in some water and then remove the seeds and have the fruit first thing in the morning. Perform this home remedy religiously for a period of about 3 to 4 weeks for best results. Honey is widely regarded as being one of the most effective substances when it comes to dealing with problems like anemia. The primary advantage that honey offers is the fact that it increases the amount of hemoglobin in the blood - which is exactly what the condition of anemia prevents. Moreover, the fact that it is rich in manganese, copper and iron all contribute to the increase in red blood cell production as well as healthier bone marrow output. You could also try another very highly regarded home remedy for anemia where you are required to create a mixture of beetroot juice and a single cup of apple juice that has been mixed together with either sugar or honey. Drink this concoction at least twice a day, daily for over a month for it to be effective. One home remedy that is known to be very effective when it comes to dealing with anemia is the simple task of preparing all your meals in iron pots as this is scientifically known to increase the amount of iron in your food.

Avoid the excessive consumption of teas and coffee as these are known to reduce the body's ability to absorb iron - thereby leading to the development of the condition. In the event that the condition appears to be a hereditary one and runs in the family, it is essential that you discuss the concern with your doctor and ask for his or her views on how to successfully combat the problem.