What does mildly macrocytic red cells mean?
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 Mild macrocytosis serious?
Macrocytosis is usually mild to moderate but can become severe. It can be due to a manageable cause (such as a vegan diet, which can be treated with supplements)3 or be due to a serious illness, such as liver disease or cancer.
What causes Rbcs to be macrocytic?
Macrocytic anemia, then, is a condition in which your body has overly large red blood cells and not enough normal red blood cells. Different types of macrocytic anemia can be classified depending on what’s causing it. Most often, macrocytic anemias are caused by a lack of vitamin B-12 and folate.
How long can you live with macrocytosis?
Mild macrocytosis is unlikely to lead to complications. If severe macrocytosis is left untreated for periods longer than six months, however, neurological complications due to low oxygen levels in the body can develop.
How do you treat 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.
What does slightly enlarged 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 medications can cause macrocytic anemia?
Common drugs that cause macrocytosis are hydroxyurea, methotrexate, zidovudine, azathioprine, antiretroviral agents, valproic acid, and phenytoin (Table 1).