macrocytosis it is an increase in the size of red blood cells or erythrocytes, which are red blood cells. When these cells have increased diameter, they are called macrocytic erythrocytes.
In a blood count, the VCM (Average Corpuscular Volume) serves to indicate the average volume of red blood cells, being used to make it easier to observe the size of the erythrocytes and to diagnose the anemia.
Macrocytosis is characterized when the Red Cells have diameters that raise the VCM above 100 FL. Among its main causes are vitamin B12 deficiency, folic acid or smoking.
Homogeneous Macrocytosis
If the VCM is high and the RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) is normal, characterized by homogeneous macrocytosis.
Heterogeneous Macrocytosis
If the VCM has high values and the RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) is also high, occurs heterogeneous macrocytosis.
The acronym RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) shows the difference in size between the erythrocytes and represents the distribution of the surfaces of these cells.