macrocytic

macrocytic /mac·ro·cyt·ic/ (-sit´ik) pertaining to or characterized by macrocytes.

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Macrocytic

A descriptive term applied to a larger than normal red blood cell.

Mentioned in: Red Blood Cell Indices

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macrocytic

[mak′rōsit′ik]

Etymology: Gk, makros + kytos + L, icus, form

(of a cell) larger than normal, such as the erythrocytes in macrocytic anemia.

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macrocytic

manifested by or pertaining to the presence of macrocytes.

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anemia

Hematology A condition characterized by ↓ RBCs or Hb in the blood, resulting in ↓ O₂ in peripheral tissues Clinical Fatigability, pallor, palpitations, SOB; anemias are divided into various groups based on cause–eg, iron deficiency anemia, megaloblastic anemia–due to ↓ vitamin B₁₂ or folic acid, or aplastic anemia–where RBC precursors in BM are 'wiped out'. See Anemia of chronic disease, Anemia of investigation, Anemia of prematurity, Aplastic anemia, Arctic anemia, Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Cloverleaf anemia, Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia, Dilutional anemia, Dimorphic anemia, Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia, Fanconi anemia, Hemolytic anemia, Idiopathic sideroblastic anemia, Immune anemia, Iron-deficiency anemia, Juvenile pernicious anemia, Macrocytic anemia, Megaloblastic anemia, Microcytic anemia, Myelophthisic anemia, Neutropenic colitis with aplastic anemia, Nonimmune hemolytic anemia, Pseudoanemia, Refractory anemia with excess blasts, Sickle cell anemia, Sideroblastic anemia, Sports anemia

General groups of anemia

Morphology

Macrocytic

Megaloblastic anemia

• Vitamin B₁₂deficiency
• Folic acid deficiency

Microcytic hypochromic

• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Hereditary defects
• Sickle cell anemia
• Thalassemia
• Other hemoglobinopathies

Normocytic

• Acute blood loss
• Hemolysis
• BM failure
• Anemia of chronic disease
• Renal failure

Etiology

Deficiency

• Iron
• Vitamin B₁₂
• Folic acid
• Pyridoxine

Central–due to BM failure

• Anemia of chronic disease
• Anemia of senescence
• Malignancy
  • BM replacement by tumor
  • Toxicity due to chemotherapy
  • Primary BM malignancy, eg leukemia

Peripheral

• Hemorrhage
• Hemolysis

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