Macrocytic anemia : Causes, Symptoms, Results and Clinical Significance

Macrocytic anemia is a type of anemia characterized by the association between low levels of hemoglobin and abnormally large red blood cells (macrocytes) in the bloodstream. In this article, we explain the Causes of macrocytic anemia, its symptoms, diagnosis and possible treatment.



◉ Types of Macrocytic Anemia

There are two types of macrocytic anemia, each of which is associated with specific causes and different biological factors than the other. These types include megaloblastic anemia and non-megaloblastic anemia.

1. Megaloblastic macrocytic anemia

It is a macrocytic anemia characterized by the presence of giant erythroblasts, called Megaloblasts, in the bone marrow. In the vast majority of cases it is linked to a deficiency in antipernicious factors (vitamin B12 and folic acid (vitamin B9)) but it can also be of toxic or neoplastic origin.

Both of these vitamins are essential for DNA synthesis, cell division in the bone marrow, and the production of healthy and fully functional red blood cells.

Blood cells grow larger due to their inability to produce enough DNA to divide at the proper time. This leads to an enlargement of the cells, which grow excessively before their usual division.

2. Non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia

Non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia is a type of macrocytic anemia (MCV > 100 fL but generally < 110 fL) that is not caused by a nuclear maturation defect.

◉ Causes of macrocytic anemia

◉ Causes of megaloblastic macrocytic anemia

The causes of megaloblastic macrocytic anemia are often related to deficiencies in vitamin B12 or folate, which can be attributed to various factors:

1- Decreased intake can occur when individuals have a low dietary intake of vitamin B12 (obtained from certain animal-based foods) or folate (found in leafy green vegetables and fruits). This condition can be caused by:

2- Increased consumption: Certain medical conditions or circumstances can lead to increased consumption of yhese nutriments:

3- Malabsorption issues can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 or folate from the gastrointestinal tract:

◉ Causes of non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia

◉ Symptoms of macrocytic anemia

This disease is often discovered incidentally, as its symptoms are similar to the symptoms of many other diseases. In light of this, reference must be made to the group of diagnostic symptoms that characterize macrocytic anemia, which include:

◉ Complications of macrocytic anemia

In fact, neglecting the treatment of this disease leads to the emergence of many pathological problems, some of which are simple and others that pose a real threat to the patient's life. These complications are mainly related to the factor causing the emergence of the disease, so that the most prominent complications include the following:

◉ Diagnosis of macrocytic anemia

The correct treatment plan depends on an accurate diagnosis, which includes several stages and steps as follows:

1. Clinical history

The first step in diagnosing macrocytic anemia begins with an inquiry about the patient's general condition and clinical history, whereby his medical history is taken and his dietary habits and lifestyle are looked at in order to suggest the most prominent causes of infection.

2. Laboratory analyzes

Considering that this disease is closely related to the blood, a comprehensive blood test must be performed to ascertain some matters and to find out the cause of the infection and the optimal treatment for the condition. These analyzes include:

◉ Treatment of macrocytic anemia

It is the most important step that all patients go to in search of the best way to get rid of this disease. It should be noted that the treatment of macrocytic anemia is mainly based on the cause of its infection. Treatment may be pharmacological, nutritional, or appropriate to the patient's condition, according to the following:

◉ Diet therapy

The deficiency in some nutrients that causes the emergence of macrocytic anemia can be compensated for with foods rich in the same missing element. In the event that vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause of the disease, we direct the patient to eat nutrients that contain high levels of this vitamin, which include:

While if the cause of the injury is a deficiency of folic acid, the nutrients containing it are the first line of treatment, which include:

◉ Pharmacotherapy

The cause of the infection may be a problem in absorption, and therefore no matter how much the patient eats nutrients and foods containing vitamins, the problem of macrocytic anemia continues to appear and may also worsen! Therefore, parenteral drugs or other drug treatments are resorted to that prevent drug interaction problems and treat the diseases causing them. For the emergence of macrocytic anemia.

◉ The medical treatment

When all previous therapeutic methods fail to treat macrocytic anemia, other medical methods are resorted to, the most important of which are blood transfusions in which the severe deficiency is compensated, and bone marrow transplants that promote the production of normal red blood cells capable of performing their tasks on the face may be resorted to fuller in contrast to those resulting in macrocytic anemia.

◉ Top questions about macrocytic anemia

In addition to the previous information, there are side inquiries for which the reader is looking for accurate answers. Here are some of them:

◉ When should a patient with macrocytic anemia go to the doctor immediately?

A visit to the doctor becomes an urgent necessity when the patient notices the emergence of some new symptoms that cause concern, which include:

◉ Can macrocytic anemia be prevented?

Although macrocytic anemia is a sudden disease that cannot be completely prevented, there are some advices and guidelines that limit its incidence as much as possible, including:

◉ Are there serious complications of macrocytic anemia?

The seriousness of the complications of macrocytic anemia lies in the general condition of the patient himself. If the patient is pregnant, her fetus may develop neural tube defects and neurological problems that will always be with him.

Liver patients are considered to be primarily affected by this disease, as they may develop hyperammonemia, ascites, and life-threatening high blood pressure, in addition to the risk of developing esophageal varices, internal hemorrhoids, hepatorenal syndrome, and cerebral hepatopathy.

◉ Conclusion

In conclusion, this was the most important information about macrocytic anemia, its causes, symptoms and types, so that we have provided you with a comprehensive guide about this disease in all its aspects and answered the most common questions related to it, With our wishes of good health and wellness..


Sources

  1. clevelandclinic - Macrocytic Anemia
  2. Christine A. Moore; Abdullah Adil (2022) - Macrocytic Anemia
  3. Creatinine test
  4. msdmanuals - Anémies mégaloblastiques macrocytaires
  5. labce - Causes of Non-megaloblastic Macrocytic Anemia