Macrocytosis

Question: Can you expalin to me what macrocytosis is all about? Is it dangerous? The Dr thinks my husband has it. I do know it has something to do with his kidneys. But that's all I know. I've tried looking it up on the web but the language is way over my head. So could someone please explain it in laymans terms?

Answer: Macrocytosis is the enlargement of red blood cells with near-constant haemoglobin concentration, and is defined by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of greater than 100 femtolitres (the precise criterion varies between laboratories). this means larger than normal red blood cells [edit] Causes Most commonly (especially when the increase in size is mild, and just above normal range) the etiology is bone marrow dysplasia primary to alcohol abuse. Other causes may include: Megaloblastosis (Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency; or DNA synthesis-inbiting drugs) hypothyroidism reticulocytosis (commonly from hemolysis or a recent history of blood loss). liver disease myeloproliferative disease [edit] Complications No complications arise from macrocytosis itself and a prognosis will be determined from its aetiology Generally speaking, macrocytosis affects the kidneys because the enlarged cells sort of "clog" up the tubes so to speak inside the kidneys. Depending on the severity of the macrocytosis, it can be treated with B-12 supplements or injections. If you have further questions feel free to contact me.

Question: Where can I get Information on MACROCYTOSIS in layman's terminology?

Answer: The site below gives good clear info.

Question: Does anyone know about macrocytosis, or a high MCV? I had a cbc done and my MCV was high it came back at 108, normal is 100. My dr said alcohol might be the cause, so I quit drinking for 3 months and had it retested, it went down to 102. she wants me to see a hemotologist, should i be concerned? if i had a bone marrow disorder would it have gone down? im confused, thankyou in advance for any answers!

Answer: May I state some terms differently? (And, in doing so, maybe give you some reassurance.) MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) is measured in femtolitres (cubic micrometer) and "normal" will differ a little from lab to lab. The typical range is 80-96fL. At 102, your level would usually not be labeled "high", it would be "elevated". Elevated MCV has a couple of common root causes - alcohol is one and B12 deficiency is the other. The daily requirement of B12 is 6 micrograms. Clams and beef liver are especially rich in B12. For example, 3 ounces of clams provides almost 1400% of daily value. Fortified cereal comes close to DV, followed by fish such as salmon and trout. Eight ounces of top sirloin also does the trick. Instead of getting concerned, examine your diet for B12 sources. Keep the visit with the Hematologist, but don't stress out. Most likely, you are fine. (Perhaps update this question down the road and let us know how you are doing?)

Question: What happens to hematocrit in microcytosis? Macrocytosis?

Answer: Microcytosis is when your red blood cells are smaller than typical and macrocytosis is when they are larger than normal. Hematocrit is the percent of your blood volume that is constituted by RBC volume. Therefore, if your RBC's are smaller than they should be, then they will take up less volume of your total blood and your hematocrit would decrease.

Question: macrocytosis and prostate cancer? Why some patients with prostate cancer develop a mild anemia with macrocytosis

Answer: "Macrocytosis" is a term used to describe the appearance of the red blood cells under the microscope. It means that the red cells are larger than they should be, and it usually means that there is some factors that interfere with normal red blood cell production. Macrocytosis is seen with anemias - like the anemia of B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency, as well as other conditions that do not involve the bone marrow directly - such as liver disease, alcoholism, or certain toxin exposures. In cancers that spread to the bone, the presence of the cancer cells in the bone marrow can cause red blood cells to be macrocytic. As far as prostate cancer specifically, it depends on what treatments are being used...radiation can affect the bone marrow and cause the red blood cells to develop abonrmally and be macrocytic. Other than radiation therapy or chemotherapy used for treating the prostate cancer, I don't know of any other reason for a person with prostate cancer to have macrocytic anemia.

Question: Does anyone know what it means to have occasional ovalocytes noted in a blood smear? I had a blood smear done and the results were macrocytosis without anemia, and occasional ovalocytes were noted. I had liver, thyroid and vitamin b12 checked all normal. What could cause this?

Answer: It is hereditary. There is a irregular shape to the red blood cells(erythrocytes) they are also without a nucleus. It deals with different forms of anemia from asymptomatic(carrier) to very severe.

Question: Does anyone know anything about macrocytosis? I had a cbc done and it showed a high mcv value of 108 everything else was normal. 4 days later i had to get a blood smear done. the report said moderate macrocytosis without anemia. and mild nuetrophilia. there were also occasional ovalocytes noted. i was reading that your blood count can increse with anxiety and stress, i also had my period and wasnt feeling too well. she checked my liver, thyroid, and vitamin b12-all normal. so she said alcohol could be the cause of the high mcv- she said stop alcohol and recheck in 3 months. if the mcv is till high she might check bone marrow. should i be concerned? can anyone help, any answers would be greatly appreciated!! thankyou

Answer: I will start here with the mild neutrophilia. The white blood cells in our body is our immune system. You can think of them as a group of soldiers, ready for war, against any enemy invading our bodies. According to their ability, they are divided and given different names: like neutrophils, esophophils, basophils, etc. We are talking here about the neutrophils being more in number than usual. This may be because of bacterial or fungal infection, inflammation, loss of blood cells through bleeding, extreme cold, heat , exercise, pain, panic surgery, sometimes cell destruction or cancer. Since yours is mild, it seems it is one of those listed first. MCV stands for Mean corpuscular volume...this is how large your red cells are appearing. Since this is not considered to being caused by anemia...it may be caused by drinking alcohol. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_corpus… Someone who drinks too much alcohol can be deficient in Vit B-12. Also, if it starts to have an effect on the liver then you will have some ovalocytes. Alcohol is the number one cause of liver damage. Some people can drink all the time and never have a problem with their livers, but others are more sensitive to it and can develop it easier. I definitely would follow the doctors advice and stop drinking alcohol. If this is the reason for the rise...then you are catching it "very early on" before it can cause damage to your liver and a problem with your blood. Bone marrow biopsies are taken usually from the hip bone. They will numb the area which will help the nerves that are in the skin and muscle, but not where they puncture through the bone to the marrow. I would ask to be sedated. Some doctors will sedate you, without asking, and others won't. If you are sedated, you won't mind it as much. If you can avoid it altogether by stopping the consumption of alcohol, that would be well worth it. Your hip will be sore for awhile after this. You don't mention how often your blood work was taken. Usually, doctors will do more than one to be certain of the results...cause no test is 100% accurate. Macro means large, cyt means cell, osis means condition. Therefore, Macrocytosis means a condition where the cells are enlarged. In this case it is the Red Blood Cells. I hope this information helps you. I also hope you get to feeling better soon.

Question: Can Methotrexate from 3 years ago trigger a reaction in blood cells due to toxins? Methotrexate is one of the drugs that can cause homosystiene, blood cell abnormalities and bone marrow problems Has been 3 years since last shot. Is it the cause of my Lymphocyte cells and Macrocytosis to trigger a serious allergy to a toxin that was never allergic to before, with horrible symptoms, Rapid weight loss, rhitinitus, sinus infections, no menses for 5 months while in the contaminated building. Once out of store, 2 wekks, blood got better, and got menses. Gaining back weight noe

Answer: Adverse effects Possible side effects can include anemia, neutropenia, increased risk of bruising, nausea and vomiting, dermatitis and diarrhea. A small percentage of patients develop hepatitis, and there is an increased risk of pulmonary fibrosis. The higher doses of methotrexate often used in cancer chemotherapy can cause toxic effects to the rapidly-dividing cells of bone marrow and gastrointestinal mucosa. The resulting myelosuppression and mucositis are often prevented (termed methotrexate "rescue") by using folinic acid supplements (not to be confused with folic acid). Methotrexate is a highly teratogenic drug and categorized in Pregnancy Category X by the FDA. Women must not take the drug during pregnancy, if there is a risk of becoming pregnant, or if they are breastfeeding. Men who are trying to get their partner pregnant must also not take the drug. To engage in any of these activities (after discontinuing the drug), women must wait until the end of a full ovulation cycle and men must wait three months. There is a risk of a severe adverse reaction if penicillin is prescribed alongside methotrexate. Mode of action Methotrexate competitively and reversibly inhibits dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), an enzyme that is part of the folate synthesis metabolic pathway. The affinity of methotrexate for DHFR is about one thousand-fold that of folate for DHFR. Dihydrofolate reductase catalyses the conversion of dihydrofolate to the active tetrahydrofolate. Folic acid is needed for the de novo synthesis of the nucleoside thymidine, required for DNA synthesis. Methotrexate, therefore, inhibits the synthesis of DNA, RNA, thymidylates, and proteins. Methotrexate is cell cycle S-phase selective, and has a greater negative effect on rapidly dividing cells (such as malignant and myeloid cells), which are replicating their DNA, and thus inhibits the growth and proliferation of these cells. Lower doses of methotrexate have been shown to be very effective for the management of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. In these cases inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is not thought to be the main mechanism, rather the inhibition of enzymes involved in purine metabolism, leading to accumulation of adenosine, or the inhibition of T cell activation and suppression of intercellular adhesion molecule expression by T cells (Johnston et al., 2005) [2].

Question: Can you help me answer these questions? 1.In case of bilirubinemia,which fraction are we talking about? 2. what are the diseases that presents macrocytosis & microcytosis ( macrovesicular/microvesicular) fatty liver? 3. in viral hepatitis, when is active and passive immunization indicated?(such as hepA) 4. In hepB window phase, what antibody ca be detected?

Answer: These are typical board questions. Better find out the answers the old fashioned way.

Question: High sed rate, important? I had checked my sed rate(ESR) because of joints pain for like 2-3 months. Usually my sed rate is between 50-60 for a couple of times. I have slightly macrocytosis(mcv=101) However my rbc and hb is normal. I don't have anymore joints pain but my sed rate is not coming down. Any cause for concern? I know sed rate is non-specific test.. Anyway I think the dr not very concern about the high sed rate because I don't have any other symptoms? Before I started having joints pain, I already realised my sed rate is about 30-40 but I do not have symptoms? But I do get tired easily and need to sleep over 10 hours to get recharged.. Do I need to worry over sed rate?

Answer: Erytrocyte sedimentation rate is an antiquated test for determining inflammation. There are many non-inflammatory processes that can elevate the ESR. C-Reactive Protein is a better test for generalized inflammation but it has drawbacks as well. A 101 MCV is too close to the upper limits of normal to be of concern. Normal values only mean that 95% of the population falls within those limits. If your doctor is not concerned...neither should you. If this still concerns you have a talk with your physician and let him explain it in terms you can understand.