Sideroblastic Anemia Sideroblastic anemias are usually associated with microcytosis and hypochromia and thus must be distinguished from the anemias of iron deficiency and thalassemia.
Ethanol abuse is the most common cause.
Non-heme iron accumulates in RBC mitochondria surrounding the nucleus instead of cytoplasmic ferritin. Sideroblastic anemias may be either hereditary or acquired. The hereditary form is an X-linked recessive trait with variable expression. The ringed sideroblasts of MDS are accompanied by dysplasia of myeloid and megakaryoctic cell lines and should be classified as one of the myelodysplastic syndromes. See White Cell Disorder Section.