Red cells: Anisopoikilocytosis

Blood film from a patient with HbH disease

Anisopoikilocytosis is a word derived from two others; anisocytosis (cells of different size) and poikilocytosis (cells of different shapes). On the full blood count, anisocytosis would be reflected in an increased RDW (red cell distribution width).

An increased red cell distribution width (RDW) would indicate red cells of different sizes. 

Anisopoikilocytosis is seen in different conditions:

  • Myelofibrosis
  • Hereditary pyropoikilocytosis
  • HbH disease
  • Dyserythropoietic anaemias

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Image from personal photography.

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