Macrocytosis

Macrocytosis is the enlargement of red blood cells with near-constant hemoglobin concentration, and is defined by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of greater than 100 femtolitres (the precise criterion varies between laboratories).

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 and Chronic alcoholism. Other causes may include:

Megaloblastosis (Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency; or DNA synthesis-inhibiting drugs)
hypothyroidism
reticulocytosis (commonly from hemolysis or a recent history of blood loss).
liver disease
myeloproliferative disease

Complications

No complications arise from macrocytosis itself and a prognosis will be determined from its etiology.

Translation of "Macrocytosis"

Italian: Macrocito.