This is very heterogeneous, often confusing group of anemias. Until recently they have escaped classification or have been randomly scattered within other anemia groups.
Sideroblastic anemia is characterized by an inability to manufacture heme.
Hypochromia - usually minimal with cell size ranging from microcytic to slightly macrocytic. Dimorphic blood picture - a hypochromic microcytic population coexists with a normocytic normochromic population. Bone marrow - erythroid hyperplasia with dyserythropoiesis and a maturation arrest. Erythroid phagocytosis usually present, leukophagocytosis may also be present. Iron - increased 5.