HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

What causes red blood cells to become larger than normal?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Michael Dugan answered

Specializes in Hematology

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.

Answered 3/8/2021

4.7k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

What could cause low red blood cell count, but normal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels? Also, if it matters, which apparently it doesn't?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

What can cause high Active (holotranscobalamin) B12 levels in blood, when red & white cell & platelet counts, liver & kidney function are all normal?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I had a really big poop today, i noticed there was slight blood in my stool. It was like a red line on the poop itself. Not really liquidy at all. This was the first time. Bloodwork + labs were normal. Could the size of the turd have caused it?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Epithelial cells and mucus present in urine, normal red blood cells and white blood cells in urine .No symptoms , possible causes ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I have been diagnosed with autoimmune disease but are not which type because my kidneys, liver and thyroid test came back normal. which one can it be? I also have prenecious anemia and large red blood cells.

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

My blood test showed i had elevated/high red blood cells than normal. What can be the cause and can it be a health hazard?
What is something that can cause high red blood cell count along with smaller then normal red blood cells?
I live in Denver. I have a very slightly elevated red blood cell count, but normal blood oxygen levels 96%-99%. What can cause this? I have a 6.4 reading on red blood cell count. All other blood metrics are normal.
Had a some blood tests done and my doctor said my red cells were slightly out of the normal range, what could be the reason?
Low heamaglobin (and all corresponding red blood cell tests) but normal iron and ferritin. what can cause this? is this anemia or something else?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.