Macrocytosis
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Macrocytosis | |
---|---|
Other names | Macrocytes |
Specialty | Hematology |
Symptoms | Shortness of breath, weakness, heart murmur, tachycardia |
Causes | Vitamin B12 deficiency, Folic acid deficiency, Malabsorption, Alcoholism |
Risk factors | Bone marrow failure, hematologic malignancy |
Diagnostic method | Symptoms, Complete blood count, Peripheral blood smear, Vitamin B12 level, Red cell folate level |
Macrocytosis is a condition where
Types
Macrocytes may be oval or round. Oval macrocytes (also called megalocytes)[4] are seen in conditions associated with dyserythropoiesis including megalobalstic anemia, myelodysplstic syndromes, Fanconi anemia and CDA type I & III. Round macrocytes are associated with other causes of macrocytosis.
Causes
In humans, the most prevalent causes of macrocytosis are often linked to alcoholism and deficiencies in vitamin B12 or folic acid (Vitamin B9), or a combination of these factors.[5] These conditions can affect the production and development of red blood cells, leading to their enlargement. Another cause of macrocytosis is benign familial macrocytosis, which is a hereditary condition that doesn’t present any symptoms.[6] Despite the larger size of the red blood cells, individuals with this condition typically have normal red blood cell function. It’s always important to consult with a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Causes of Macrocytosis may include:
- Megaloblastic Anemia due to vitamin B12/ Folate deficienciy or their abnormal metabolism
- Poor dietary intake including strict veganism
- Increased requirements
- Pernicious anemia
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Alcoholism
- Smoking
- Reticulocytosis due to hemolysis, hemorrhage & Hemetenics
- Hypothyroidism
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
- Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia
- Aplastic anemia and bone marrow failure syndromes
- Inherited disorders of DNA synthesis
- Homocystinuria
- Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
- Deficient enzymes for folate metabolism
- Liver disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- Drugs including folate antagonists, purine antagonists, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, anti-HIV drugs etc.
Complications
No complications arise from macrocytosis itself and a prognosis will be determined from its cause.
See also
References
- PMID 19202968.
- ISBN 978-0-323-44623-5.
- ISBN 978-1-118-81733-9.
- ISBN 978-0-7817-2662-7.
- ISBN 978-1-61035-065-5.
- ^ "Macrocytosis: Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology". 2022-10-07.
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