Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Lead poisoning is known to cause which type of anemia?

1. A mild macrocytic anemia

2. Normocytic anemia

3. Microcytic anemia

4. A mild hemolytic anemia

The correct answer is: Microcytic anemia

Lead poisoning primarily causes microcytic anemia due to its interference with heme synthesis. Lead inhibits several key enzymes involved in the production of hemoglobin, such as aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and ferrochelatase. This disruption in heme production leads to a decreased availability of hemoglobin, resulting in smaller red blood cells that are characteristic of microcytic anemia. In addition to causing these smaller red blood cells, lead exposure also impairs iron utilization in the body, which is critical for effective hemoglobin production. The combination of impaired hemoglobin synthesis and iron metabolism results in the classic presentation of microcytic anemia seen in lead poisoning cases. While other types of anemia can occur for various reasons, they do not align with the specific pathophysiological mechanisms of lead exposure. For instance, normocytic anemia typically indicates a different underlying issue such as chronic disease or acute blood loss, while mild hemolytic anemia usually involves the destruction of red blood cells rather than problems with red blood cell formation as seen with lead toxicity.