Definition
Macrocytosis is a condition in which red blood cells are larger than normal.
Macrocytes in the blood can be found in some forms of anemia (sideroblastic, pernicious, aplastic and megaloblastic).
Macrocytosis is frequent in the presence of deficiency or defective use of vitamin B12 or folate; this manifestation can be associated with malnutrition, alcoholism, pregnancy (due to increased needs), tropical sprue and gastrointestinal diseases, such as celiac disease and Crohn's disease.
Macrocytosis can also be observed in cases of hypothyroidism, chronic obstructive airway diseases, liver disease, myeloproliferative diseases (polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis and thrombocythemia), myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic exposure to benzene.
Macrocytosis can also be induced by bone marrow dysplasia secondary to chronic alcohol abuse.
Other causes include drugs (generally, anticancer and immunosuppressants) and, rarely, metabolic disorders (eg hereditary orotic aciduria).
Possible Causes * of Macrocytosis
- Alcoholism
- Anemia
- Fanconi anemia
- COPD
- Celiac disease
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Pregnancy
- Hypothyroidism
- Leukemia
- lymphoma
- Crohn's disease
- Polycythemia vera
- Scleroderma
- Tropical sprue
- thalassemia
