macrocytic anemia
Definition
Noun: A type of anemia characterized by the presence of abnormally large red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the blood. The condition is identified when the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of the red cells is higher than the normal range.
Examples of Usage
- The patient's fatigue and pallor were ultimately diagnosed as macrocytic anemia.
- A common cause of macrocytic anemia is a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate.
- The blood test revealed macrocytic anemia, prompting further investigation into the patient's nutritional status.
Advanced Usage
- Megaloblastic anemia is a specific subtype of macrocytic anemia where the bone marrow produces large, structurally immature, and dysfunctional red blood cell precursors (megaloblasts). While often used interchangeably, not all macrocytic anemias are megaloblastic.
- The term is frequently used in a clinical or hematological context to describe a laboratory finding and guide differential diagnosis.
Variants and Related Words
- Macrocytosis (noun): The condition of having macrocytes (large red blood cells); it is the key diagnostic feature observed in macrocytic anemia.
- Megaloblastic anemia (noun): A common form of macrocytic anemia caused by impaired DNA synthesis.
Synonyms
- Macrocytic anaemia (British English spelling)
- Megaloblastic anemia (for the most common subtype)
Related Phrases
- Nutritional macrocytic anemia: Specifies anemia caused by dietary deficiencies, typically of vitamin B12 or folate.
- Non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia: Refers to forms of the condition not caused by vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, such as those associated with liver disease or certain bone marrow disorders.
Noun
-
anemia in which the average size of erythrocytes is larger than normal
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