HETEROGENEITY OF RED-CELL VOLUME - QUANTITATION, CLINICAL CORRELATIONS, AND POSSIBLE MECHANISMS

Abstract

To permit quantitative study of red cell volume heterogeneity, the coefficient of variation (CV) of erythrocyte volume was determined in blood samples from 868 subjects, including normal individuals and those with various hematologic disorders. In groups of subjects with various hemoglobinopathies, CV increased above normal, parallel with the presence and degree of anemia. All subjects with Fe, folate, or vitamin B12 deficiency showed marked increase in CV (anisocytosis): increased CV accompanied even early iron deficiency not yet associated with anemia or microcytosis. Effects of other conditions on CV also were studied.