Have you ever looked at a Full Blood Count report and wondered about some of the values in it? Your doctor might have said, "Your red blood cells look a little big." That's what we medically call Macrocytosis. It's not actually a disease in itself. But it's an important signal that something is wrong with our bodies. If you ignore it, you can even develop into a severe anemia called macrocytic anemia. So, don't worry. Let's talk about everything clearly and simply.
What exactly is Macrocytosis?
Simply put, Macrocytosis is when the red blood cells in your blood are larger than normal. This is sometimes called megalocytosis or macrocythemia. When you have a complete blood count, the report will tell you the size of your red blood cells. There are two main values that a doctor will look at when they suspect this condition: 1.
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): This is the average volume of your red blood cells. 2.
MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin): This is the amount of hemoglobin in a red blood cell. If either or both of these values are higher than normal, it is a good indication that you may have Macrocytosis.
What are the symptoms of this condition?
Most of the time, the
anemia that comes with Macrocytosis develops very slowly in the body. Therefore, the condition
does not show any major symptoms until it is a little more severe. However, when the condition is a little more severe, some of the symptoms below may appear.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|
| Diarrhea | Frequent bloating. |
| Inflammation of tongue | Redness, swelling, or pain in the tongue. |
| Anorexia | Decreased appetite. |
| Peripheral Neuropathy | Sensations of numbness and burning in the limbs. |
| Gait changes | Difficulty maintaining balance while walking. |
What are the causes of macrocytosis?
As we have said before, Macrocytosis is not a single disease. It is a result of another health problem. Let's see what are the main causes that affect it.
| Main reasons |
|---|
| Vitamin B12 deficiency | Not getting enough vitamin B12 or being unable to absorb it. |
| Folate deficiency | Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential for cell growth. Its deficiency is also a major cause. |
| Liver disease | Liver dysfunction. |
| Alcoholism | Alcohol prevents the absorption of vitamins and also damages the bone marrow. |
| Thyroid problems (Hypothyroidism) | Decreased thyroid hormone levels. |
In addition, macrocytosis can also occur as
a side effect of certain medications used to treat conditions such as cancer, seizures, or autoimmune disorders (diseases in which the body's own immune system attacks its own cells). It can also be caused by a bone marrow cancer (myelodysplastic syndrome).
How to recognize this condition?
If your doctor suspects this, he or she will order several tests to confirm it.
The important thing is that these tests not only check for the presence of Macrocytosis, but also find out exactly what causes it.
The main tests performed are:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Complete blood count.
- Peripheral Smear (Blood Smear): This is a very important test. A blood sample is examined under a microscope to observe the shape and size of the red blood cells.
- Reticulocyte Count: Measures the number of newly formed red blood cells in the bone marrow.
- Vitamin B12 and Folate Levels: Checking the levels of these vitamins in the blood.
Macrocytosis can be best diagnosed with a peripheral smear. In addition to enlarged red blood cells, if there are signs of
Howell-Jolly bodies (small fragments within cells) and hypersegmentation of
granulocytes (a type of white blood cell), it is a strong indication of macrocytic anemia.
How is it treated?
The most important thing in treating macrocytosis is
to find and treat the underlying cause . Once the cause is found, your doctor will determine the treatment plan.
- Treatment for vitamin deficiencies: If the cause is vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, then appropriate dietary changes, vitamin supplements, or vitamin injections if necessary are recommended. But remember, only your doctor can decide whether you need additional vitamin supplements and how much to take. Therefore, do not take vitamins without medical advice.
- Severe anemia: If the anemia is very severe, a blood transfusion may be necessary.
Foods rich in vitamin B12
Adults over the age of 14 need about 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers need between 2.6-2.8 micrograms. Foods that are commonly rich in these vitamins include:
- Types of fish and shellfish
- Liver
- Red meat
- Eggs
- Chicken
- Dairy foods like milk, cheese, yogurt
- Fortified breakfast cereals
Foods rich in folate
Anyone over the age of 19 needs 400 micrograms of folate per day. A pregnant mother needs 600, and a nursing mother needs 500. It is also important for those who drink alcohol to get 600 micrograms per day, because alcohol impairs the absorption of folate.
- Dark green vegetables like spinach, kale, lettuce, broccoli
- Legumes such as beans and peas
- Peanut
- Sunflower seeds
- Fresh fruit
- Whole grains
- Seafood
- Eggs
- Fortified foods
Take-Home Message
- Macrocytosis means that your red blood cells are larger than normal. It is not a disease in itself, but a sign of another problem in the body.
- The most common cause is vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Other causes include liver disease and alcohol abuse .
- If your MCV value is elevated in your blood report, don't panic and talk to your doctor immediately.
- Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Finding the right cause and treating it can completely control this condition.
- Maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet is very important.
Macrocytosis, red blood cells, blood tests, vitamin B12, folate, anemia, MCV
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න