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Review
. 2007 Oct 27;335(7625):884-6.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.39325.689641.471.

Macrocytosis: pitfalls in testing and summary of guidance

Affiliations
Review

Macrocytosis: pitfalls in testing and summary of guidance

Michael Galloway et al. BMJ. .

Abstract

Low vitamin B-12 levels can occur without deficiency being present, and normal levels don't always rule out vitamin B-12 deficiency. A clinical assessment, together with blood count and blood film results, can ensure a correct interpretation of vitamin B-12 and folate levels

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

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Fig 1 Peripheral blood film in case 3 shows hypogranular neutrophils with abnormal lobulation of the nucleus, indicating that the macrocytic anaemia is due to a myelodysplastic syndrome
None
Fig 2 Bone marrow aspirate in case 3 shows blasts, confirming the diagnosis of a myelodysplastic syndrome

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