Macrocytic anemia

Macrocytic Anemia: The Workup

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Megaloblastic Anemia

The workup for macrocytic anemia should include some or all the following: Peripheral blood smear Hypersegmented neutrophils and macroovalocytes → B12 or folate deficiency. Pancytopenia → advanced B12 deficiency Target cells → chronic liver disease (anemia and thrombocytopenia are also seen). Pseudo-Pelger-Huët cells → myelodysplastic syndrome. For vitamin B12 deficiency Vitamin B12 levels Methylmalonic acid and … Read more

Chronic Diarrhea: Laboratory Medicine Tips and Tricks

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Routine labs can tell you a great deal about your patient’s chronic diarrhea: Potassium: Potassium should, of course, be low in patients with chronic diarrhea. If it is high and the patient has normal kidney function, then your patient may have Addison’s disease, or primary adrenal insufficiency. Microcytic anemia: microcytic anemia suggests anemia of iron … Read more