Anemia characterized by a decrease in the ratio of the weight of hemoglobin to the volume of the erythrocyte, i.e., the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration is less than normal. the individual cells contain less hemoglobin than they could have under optimal conditions. hypochromic anemia may be caused by iron deficiency from a low iron intake, diminished iron absorption, or excessive iron loss. it can also be caused by infections or other diseases, therapeutic drugs, lead poisoning, and other conditions. (stedman, 25th ed; from miale, laboratory medicine: hematology, 6th ed, p393)