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A member asked:
Help docs! i'm trying to find out what causes enlarged red blood cells?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
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.
Answered 1/11/2014
4.6k views
Multiple reasons: Macrocytosis (larger than normal red blood cells) can have multiple causes including: vitamin b-12/folate deficiency, myelodysplastic syndromes, aplastic anemia, alcoholism, leukemia, vitamin c deficiency, vitamin e deficiency, certain medications (chemotherapy), chronic infections, genetic disorders, liver disease, splenectomy, thyroid disorders, hemorrhage, hemolytic anemia, malaria.
Answered 2/20/2016
4.2k views
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