Macrocytic anemia

Macrocytic anemia
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath, dizziness
Complications	Heart failure, neurological complications
Onset
Duration
Types	Megaloblastic anemia, Non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia
Causes	Vitamin B12 deficiency, Folate deficiency, Alcoholism, Liver disease, Hypothyroidism, Medications
Risks	Poor diet, alcohol use disorder, malabsorption syndromes
Diagnosis	Complete blood count, Peripheral blood smear, Serum vitamin B12 level, Serum folate level
Differential diagnosis	Microcytic anemia, Normocytic anemia
Prevention	Adequate dietary intake of vitamin B12 and folate
Treatment	Vitamin B12 supplementation, Folic acid supplementation, treating underlying causes
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common in older adults
Deaths	N/A

Macrocytic anemia is a type of anemia characterized by larger than normal red blood cells. The term "macrocytic" is derived from the Greek words "makros", meaning large, and "kyticos", meaning cell. This condition is typically diagnosed through a complete blood count (CBC) test, which measures the size of the red blood cells.

Causes

Macrocytic anemia can be caused by a variety of factors, including vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, and certain medications. Other potential causes include alcoholism, hypothyroidism, and liver disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of macrocytic anemia can vary depending on the underlying cause, but may include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and dizziness.

Diagnosis

Macrocytic anemia is typically diagnosed through a complete blood count (CBC) test, which measures the size of the red blood cells. If the red blood cells are found to be larger than normal, further testing may be required to determine the underlying cause.

Treatment

The treatment for macrocytic anemia typically involves addressing the underlying cause. This may involve supplementation with vitamin B12 or folate, changes in medication, or treatment of underlying conditions such as liver disease or hypothyroidism.

See also

• Anemia
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Folate deficiency
• Hypothyroidism
• Liver disease