Macrocytosis Conditions Explained
Macrocytosis refers to the presence of abnormally large red blood cells (RBCs), indicated by an elevated Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV).
Conditions Associated with Macrocytosis
Macrocytosis is commonly observed in several conditions:
- Liver Disease: Impaired lipid metabolism in liver disease can alter RBC membranes, leading to larger cell size.
- Hypothyroidism: Reduced thyroid hormone levels can affect erythropoiesis (RBC production) and maturation, resulting in macrocytosis.
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS): This group of bone marrow disorders is characterized by ineffective blood cell production, often resulting in dysplastic and macrocytic RBCs.
The Exception: Post Splenectomy
Splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen. The spleen's main role concerning RBCs is filtering out old or damaged cells. While removal of the spleen can lead to other hematological changes (like the presence of Howell-Jolly bodies), it does not directly cause macrocytosis. The mechanisms driving the formation of large RBCs seen in liver disease, hypothyroidism, or MDS are not typically initiated or worsened by the absence of the spleen. Therefore, macrocytosis is not a characteristic finding following splenectomy.
The condition listed that does NOT typically present with macrocytosis is Post splenectomy.
Important Questions from Anemia
- All of the following cause microcytic hypochromic anemia EXCEPT:
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency results in deficiency of ATP production and a chronic haemolytic anaemia. The disorder is inherited as an:
- Sickle cell disease may be associated with any of the following EXCEPT:
- Every individual carries four alpha gene alleles. Deletion of three alleles leads to development of:
- Total iron binding capacity of more than $360 \text{ µg/dl}$ is seen in anemia due to:
