Does alcohol cause large red blood cells?

Red blood cells carry oxygen in your blood to all parts of your body. Heavy drinking over longer periods leads to poisoning of the bone marrow where the red blood cells are produced. As a result, red blood cells are not produced properly and become abnormally large, and the MCV result becomes higher than normal.

What does it mean when your red blood cells are large?

Macrocytosis is a condition in which your red blood cells are larger than they should be. While it isn’t a condition of its own, macrocytosis is a sign that you have an underlying health condition and may lead to a severe form of anemia called macrocytic normochromic anemia.

Can alcohol destroy red blood cells?

For example, heavy alcohol consumption can cause generalized suppression of blood cell production and the production of structurally abnormal blood cell precursors that cannot mature into functional cells. Alcoholics frequently have defective red blood cells that are destroyed prematurely, possibly resulting in anemia.

How is macrocytosis treated?

Management of macrocytosis consists of finding and treating the underlying cause. In the case of vitamin B-12 or folate deficiency, treatment may include diet modification and dietary supplements or injections. If the underlying cause is resulting in severe anemia, you might need a blood transfusion.

How do you treat enlarged red blood cells?

Treating macrocytic anemia This can be done with supplements or foods like spinach and red meat. You may be able to take supplements that include folate and other B vitamins. You may also need vitamin B-12 injections if you don’t absorb oral vitamin B-12 properly.

Is it bad if your red blood cells are high?

An RBC count that is higher than normal can be a sign of many health problems, including: Dehydration. Lung diseases. Heart diseases.

What is considered heavy drinking?

For men, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 15 drinks or more per week. For women, heavy drinking is typically defined as consuming 8 drinks or more per week.

What is macrocytosis a symptom of?

Usually, macrocytosis is caused by nutritional deficiency, specifically of folate or vitamin B12. This can arise from a hereditary condition called pernicious anemia, in which a protein called intrinsic factor is lacking in your gut. Intrinsic factor helps your body absorb vitamin B12.

Is macrocytosis curable?

Most cases of macrocytic anemia that are caused by vitamin B-12 and folate deficiencies can be treated and cured with diet and supplements. However, macrocytic anemias can cause long-term complications if left untreated. These complications can include permanent damage to your nervous system.

Why are my red blood cells enlarged after drinking alcohol?

Answer First, there are many reasons for people to have enlarged red blood cells called macrocytosis, and a person may have macrocytosis and abuse alcohol, but not necessarily have macrocytosis from their alcohol use.

What causes enlarged red blood cells in the body?

According to the Mayo Clinic, enlarged red blood cells, or macrocytosis, is a non-specific medical condition that has a number of different causes. Among the most common are vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, alcoholism, hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) and liver disease.

Can a person have too many red blood cells?

However, alcohol brings with it a number of side effects on different forms in the blood cells and their functions. Over consumption may lead to suppression of the production of blood cells and this in turn produces an abnormal structure of red blood cell precursors. Regular drinkers will have enlarged red blood cells, however it is not dangerous.

What happens to the bone marrow when you drink alcohol?

Chronic excessive alcohol ingestion reduces the number of blood cell precursors in the bone marrow and causes characteristic structural abnormalities in these cells, resulting in fewer-than-normal or non- functional mature blood cells.