Hypochromia (or hypochromasia) is the term used to describe red cells that have less colour to them than normal due to a decrease in their haemoglobin contents. Hypo– means decreased or deficient and chromia or chromasia refers to the pigment or colour. The lack of haemoglobin gives them a paler appearance. Normal red cells tend to have an area of central pallor that is approximately one third of the red cell, but in hypochromic red cells it is greater.

In iron deficiency anaemia, there is a lack of iron needed to produce haemoglobin, leading to a decrease in the amount of haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies are genetic disorders that affect the production of haemoglobin, leading to abnormal red blood cell formation. Chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic kidney disease can also cause hypochromia due to the inflammation-induced decrease in iron availability for haemoglobin synthesis. Therefore, the presence of hypochromic red cells can aid in the diagnosis and management of these conditions.

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