Question 1

what causes red blood cells to be small and abnormal?

Accepted Answer

Lack of iron: Iron deficiency is commonest cause of small red cells. Visit this site for more info: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007305.htm

Question 2

what does it mean when you have abnormally small red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Low iron thalassemia: Small red blood cells, as determined by the MCV is most common in either iron deficiency or thalassemia. Rarer causes include sideroblastic anemia, lead toxicity, chronic inflammatory anemia, or renal/hepatic malignancies.

Question 3

my gp told me i had small red blood cells and has prescribed iron tablets. also referred me to have a colonoscopy. what will that procedure  diagnose?

Accepted Answer

Ask why: Small red cells usually means either iron deficiency or thalassemia minor. A diagnosis of iron deficiency should be confirmed with a few additional lab tests. Iron won't help thal minor and will tend to make you sick. Colonoscopy is a search for a bleeding cancer that might be the cause of your iron deficiency. Best wishes.

Question 4

small red blood cells high crp swollen glands in neck and one arm pit weight loss feeling unwell sometimes fever tired all the time?

Accepted Answer

Systemic disease: This cannot be diagnosed over the internet. It sounds as if you are in the process of having an extensive evaluation and would continue with this.  It requires a stepwise analysis of each and every finding to finally arrive at a specific explanation for the problems.  This could be a primary blood disorder or an infection or both.  Good luck and best wishes.

Question 5

what causes enlarge red blood cells

Accepted Answer

Several: There are multiple causes of enlarged red blood cells, which is termed macrocytosis, and most of them are easily corrected. Two of the most common causes are deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folic acid, which are frequently associated with anemia, as well. However, there are also other important causes such as hypothyroidism, disorders of the bone marrow itself and some medications.

Question 6

what can cause red blood cells to die?

Accepted Answer

Old age: Red cells have a limited life span of only about 120 days. Some disorders shorten the life span of red cells, e.g., auto-immune hemolytic anemia, hemoglobin disorders like sickle cell disease, malaria, artificial valves, severe exercise etc.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 7

what can cause red blood cells to be improperly formed?

Accepted Answer

Depends: What do you mean by improperly formed? Spherocytosis is due to defect ina membrane protein. Hemoglobinopathies can also result in abnormal shapes. Angiopathic anemia is another cause. Iron, folate and B12 deficiencies could also result in abnormal size and shape.

Question 8

what causes red blood cells to become larger than normal?

Accepted Answer

Quite a few things: Vitamin deficiencies (folate (folic acid) or b12), medications, inefficient blood cell production (myelodysplasia) to name a few. If the macrocytosis is significant a work up by a hematologist would be appropriate.

Question 9

what causes red blood cells to sickle?

Accepted Answer

Hemoglobin S: A genetic variant of hemoglobin, called hemoglobin s causes sickling when hemoglobin loses oxygen.

Question 10

help docs! i'm trying to find out what causes enlarged red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin Def, etc: Macro(=large)cytosis(=cells) of red blood cells (rbcs) can be caused by many things. The most common is deficiencies of folate (folic acid) or vitamin b12. Those levels can be tested in the blood as well as with the tests homocysteine (hcy) and methylmalonic acid (mma). Other causes can include reticulocytes (early, young , large rbcs in the blood), dysplasia (eg myelodysplastic syndrome, mds) and other causes.

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What causes small red blood cells

A member asked:

What causes red blood cells to be small and abnormal?

A member asked:

What does it mean when you have abnormally small red blood cells?

A member asked:

My gp told me i had small red blood cells and has prescribed iron tablets. also referred me to have a colonoscopy. what will that procedure diagnose?

A member asked:

Small red blood cells high crp swollen glands in neck and one arm pit weight loss feeling unwell sometimes fever tired all the time?

A member asked:

What causes enlarge red blood cells

A member asked:

What can cause red blood cells to die?

A member asked:

What can cause red blood cells to be improperly formed?

A member asked:

What causes red blood cells to become larger than normal?

A member asked:

What causes red blood cells to sickle?

A member asked:

Help docs! i'm trying to find out what causes enlarged red blood cells?

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