Description:

Erythrocytes containing one or more iron-containing granules of non-hemoglobin iron, giving a positive Prussian blue reaction. Granules appear as basophilic granules. In the bone marrow smears in healthy people, the number of sideroblasts (erythroblasts containing iron granules) is 20-90%.

Size:

The granules size is about 2 µm.

Shape:

Granules appear as basophilic granules.

Significance:

In healthy people, siderotic granules are not normally found in peripheral blood erythrocytes. They may be found in the peripheral blood in disorders associated with impaired haemoglobin synthesis, e.g., thalassemia and lead poisoning. They are also present in blood after splenectomy.