Rapid Review: Megaloblastic Anemia

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January 4, 2018
Megaloblastic anemia

Megaloblastic Anemia

  • Patient will be a vegan or alcoholic
  • Complaining of fatigue, weakness
  • PE will show pallor, glossitis
  • Labs will show MCV > 100 and hypersegmented neutrophils
  • Most commonly caused by vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) or folate deficiency
  • Comments: only vitamin B12 deficiency results in neurological symptoms

Sample question:

A middle-aged patient in the ED has a hemoglobin of 8.1 g/dL with an MCV of 112 fL. Which of the following is a common cause of this disease process?

By Yehuda Wolf, MPA, PA-C


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