What Causes Microcytic Anemia?

Copper Deficiency

Copper is a mineral the body needs to facilitate the passing of iron from the basolateral membrane into plasma. Two forms of copper-dependent enzymes called hephaestin and ceruloplasmin are both mainly responsible for the transport of iron into the blood and then throughout the body. Without sufficient levels of copper, the ceruloplasmin would not be able to do its job of oxidizing iron into the form needed for iron to bind with substances such as oxygen. When these processes are carried out normally, oxygen is able to be carried to all tissues of the body successfully, whereas with microcytic anemia from copper deficiency will actually impair the ability of iron to transport oxygen in the red blood cells. Copper is usually provided to the body by dietary intake through foods such as organ meats, beans, seafood, whole grains, and liver.