Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Macrocytosis
Introduction
Macrocytosis is the enlargement of red blood cells with near-constant haemoglobin concentration, and is defined by a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of greater than 100 femtolitres (the precise criterion varies between laboratories).
Causes
Causes
Most commonly this etiology is bone marrow dysplasia primary to alcohol abuse. Other causes may include:
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]