Megaloblastic anemia symptoms

What is anemia? Anemia is the general name for a condition where the body either cannot make enough healthy red blood cells and/or has too little hemoglobin, the substance that enables red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body. There are many different types of anemia. These include, but are not limited to: • Iron deficiency anemia, the most common type of anemia • Megaloblastic anemia, often caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency • Aplastic anemia, caused by damage or dysfunction in bone marrow cells • Hemolytic anemia, caused by red blood cells being destroyed at an increased rate Medically speaking, anemia is broadly classified as macrocytic, microcytic or normocytic, depending on the size and volume of the red blood cells (erythrocytes): • Macrocytic anemia. In this category of anemia, the red blood cells are larger than normal. This includes anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency or folate deficiency. • Microcytic anemia. In this category of anemia, the red blood cells are smaller than normal. This includes anemia caused by iron deficiency, thalassemia or sickle cell disease. • Normocytic anemia. In this category of anemia, the red blood cells are normal in size, but fewer than normal in number. This includes anemia caused by chronic conditions, e.g. kidney disease. Regardless of the type or cause, common symptoms of anemia include: • Tiredness and lethargy • Breathlessness • Faintness • Headaches There may also be other symptoms specif...

Dietary vitamin B12 deficiency usually results from inadequate absorption, but deficiency can develop in vegans who do not take vitamin supplements. Deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia, damage to the white matter of the spinal cord and brain, and peripheral neuropathy. Diagnosis is usually made by measuring serum vitamin B12 levels. The Schilling test helps determine etiology. Treatment consists of oral or parenteral vitamin B12. Folate ( folic acid) should not be used instead of vitamin B12 because folate may alleviate the anemia but allow neurologic deficits to progress. Dietary sources of vitamin B12 include meats (especially beef, pork, and organ meats [eg, liver]), poultry, eggs, fortified cereals, milk and milk products, and seafood such as clams, oysters, mackerel, and salmon. Food-bound vitamin B12 is released in the stomach’s acid environment and is bound to R protein (haptocorrin). Pancreatic enzymes cleave this B12 complex (B12-R protein) in the small intestine. After cleavage, intrinsic factor, secreted by parietal cells in the gastric mucosa, binds with vitamin B12. Intrinsic factor is required for absorption of vitamin B12, which takes place in the terminal ileum. Vitamin B12 in plasma is bound to transcobalamins I and II. Transcobalamin II is responsible for delivering vitamin B12 to tissues. The liver stores large amounts of vitamin B12. Enterohepatic reabsorption helps retain vitamin B12. Liver vitamin B12 stores can normally sustain physiologic needs f...

Macrocytic anemia causes large red blood cells that cannot carry enough oxygen throughout the body. The symptoms mimic other kinds of anemia but the treatment depends on the underlying cause. This article looks at the causes and symptoms of macrocytic anemia, the treatment options, and how to prevent complications. Share on Pinterest Azman Jaka/Getty Images Macrocytosis is a term that describes a condition in which a person’s blood cells are too large. It often occurs along with anemia, a condition in which there are either not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to all the tissues or the existing cells are not as efficient. Doctors use a unit called femtoliters to measure the size of blood cells. Usually, red blood cells are between When the cells grow too large, there are fewer of them, and they contain less hemoglobin. This means the blood is not as oxygen-rich as it should be. Low blood oxygen can cause a range of symptoms and health problems. Doctors classify macrocytosis into • Megaloblastic macrocytosis: This is the most common form. It occurs when a person cannot produce DNA because of a B12 or folate deficiency. • Nonmegaloblastic macrocytosis: This can happen when there is a liver, spleen, or bone marrow problem. Both of these types can occur along with anemia. One of the most common is megaloblastic. Anemia develops gradually, so a person may not notice any symptoms until it is severe. When symptoms appear, they may include: • weakness • paleness • ex...

Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Vitamin B12 deficiency is a major cause of megaloblastic anemia and it can occur due to the following reasons: ( • Autoimmune Condition: A person’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 is affected due to pernicious anemia. • Digestive Condition: The nutrients from the food are absorbed in the small intestine. Celiac disease is a condition that damages the small intestine and leads to vitamin B12 deficiency. • Diet: Liver stores excess vitamin B12. Those eating fewer vitamin B12 foods have a risk of developing a deficiency. Advertisement There are a few factors that increase a person’s risk of developing megaloblastic anemia. These are mostly those conditions affecting vitamin B12 absorption. • Diet: A diet low in vitamin B12 increases the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. A study reported an 80% prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in India and Hong Kong as more people here eat and are vegan and do not consume B12-fortified foods. ( • Medication: Certain medications including metformin and proton pump inhibitors limit the absorption of vitamin B12. • Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions including ( Symptoms of Megaloblastic Anemia The symptoms of megaloblastic anemia develop slowly and sometimes a person may not have symptoms for years. Lack of red blood cells affects the amount of oxygenated blood that travels to various parts of the body and leads to the following symptoms: • Muscle weakness • • • Yellow skin • • • Pale skin • Unexplaine...