Macrocytosis is a term used to
describe red blood cells that are larger than normal
. Also known as megalocytosis or macrocythemia, this condition typically causes no signs or symptoms and is usually detected incidentally on routine blood tests.
Is macrocytosis serious?
Left untreated, macrocytosis can lead to
neurological complications that may become permanent
. Seek prompt medical care if you, or someone you are with, have any of these serious symptoms including: Dementia. Depression.
What is the most common cause of macrocytic anemia?
Most often, macrocytic anemias are caused by
a lack of vitamin B-12 and folate
. Macrocytic anemia can also signal an underlying condition.
What causes Macrocytic?
Macrocytic anemia is almost always due to
a deficiency of folate or vitamin B-12
. A person may have a deficiency of one of these if their body cannot absorb vitamins due to an underlying disease, or because they do not eat enough foods with these vitamins.
What does abnormally large red blood cells mean?
Macrocytosis
is a condition in which your red blood cells are larger than they should be. While it isn’t a condition of its own, macrocytosis is a sign that you have an underlying health condition and may lead to a severe form of anemia called macrocytic normochromic anemia.
What drugs can cause Macrocytosis?
Common drugs that cause macrocytosis are
hydroxyurea, methotrexate, zidovudine, azathioprine, antiretroviral agents, valproic acid, and phenytoin
(Table 1).
Does high MCV mean liver disease?
Macrocytosis is a useful diagnostic indicator of alcoholism.
MCV values greater than 100 fl in patients with liver disease almost invariably indicate alcohol-related disease
. In the short-term, changes in MCV are of little use in monitoring alcohol intake.
What is the treatment for macrocytic anemia?
Management of macrocytosis consists of finding and treating the underlying cause. In the case of vitamin B-12 or folate deficiency, treatment may include
diet modification and dietary supplements or injections
. If the underlying cause is resulting in severe anemia, you might need a blood transfusion.
Who is at risk for macrocytic anemia?
Common risk factors of megaloblastic anemia include
nutritional factors, alcoholism, elderly, pregnant, vegans, and malabsorptive syndromes
.
Can stress cause high MCV?
Academic examination
stress significantly increased Ht
, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC and significantly decreased RDW. There were significant relationships between the stress-induced changes in the PSS, STAI and POMS scores and those in Ht, Hb, MCV and MCH (allpositive) and RDW (negative).
Is high MCV serious?
If the MCV goes up to an extreme of 125, it may indicate vitamin B12, folate deficiencies, or cold agglutinin disease. A higher MCV value indicates that
the red blood cells are larger than the average size
.
What causes high MCV levels?
The common causes of macrocytic anemia (increased MCV) are as follows:
Folate deficiency anemia
.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
.
Liver disease
.
Why does liver cause macrocytic anemia?
Second, macrocytic anemia in liver disease may be due to
an increased deposition of cholesterol on the membranes of circulating RBCs
[31, 32]. This deposition effectively increases the surface area of the erythrocyte. Third, hemolytic anemias are common in advanced liver failure.
What is Microcytic?
Microcytic anemia is defined as
the presence of small, often hypochromic, red blood cells in a peripheral blood smear
and is usually characterized by a low MCV (less than 83 micron 3). Iron deficiency is the most common cause of microcytic anemia.
What causes Stomatocytosis?
Most cases of stomatocytosis are
due to alteration in permeability
, leading to an increase in red cell volume. Stomatocytes form at a low blood acidic pH, as seen in exposure to cationic detergents and in patients receiving phenolthiazine or chlorpromazine. Stomatocytosis can be an inherited or acquired condition.
What lab values indicate Macrocytic anemia?
Macrocytic anemia refers to macrocytosis (mean corpuscular volume (MCV) greater than 100 fL) in the setting of anemia (
hemoglobin less than 12 g/dL or hematocrit (Hct) less than 36%
in nonpregnant females, hemoglobin less than 11 g/dL in pregnant females, or hemoglobin less than 13 g/dL or Hct less than 41% in males).
