CA
A 47-year-old female asked:
How much alcohol consumption will cause an "enlarged blood cell) test result?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Roy Arnoldanswered
Internal Medicine 49 years experience
Macrocytosis: or large red blood cells, can be caused by excessive alcohol intake, even with normal levels of folic acid and B12. The mechanism whereby alcohol ingestion causes macrocytosis is unknown, but is though to be due to alcohol byproducts like acetaldehyde. The equivalent of 1 bottle of wine per day for 6 or more months can cause. Reverses after cessation of alcohol usually.
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2.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated May 10, 2015
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