Anaemia Profile- Macrocytic Test is done to diagnose macrocytic anaemia and to identify its causes.
Anaemia Profile- Macrocytic is done in people who show signs and symptoms of macrocytic anaemia, who do not respond to the treatment for anaemia, in patients with family history of a hereditary anaemia, in pregnant women, in patients with chronic diseases and chronic infections.

You should get the macrocytic anemia test done if you observe the following symptoms:

Appetite loss or weight loss
Brittle nails
Rapid heartbeat
Fatigue and weakness
Breathlessness
Inability to focus or confusion
Loss of memory
Jaundice, yellowing of the skin or eyes
Enlarged liver and spleen

Patient Preparation: 12-14 hrs fasting required

What does Anaemia Profile – Macrocytic measure?

Anaemia Profile- Macrocytic Type Profile includes the following group and individual test:

CBC tests for all Blood cells like RBC, WBC and Platelets, their count and morphology along with Hemoglobin level (Hb), RBC indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW) & PDW.
Vitamin B12
Folic acid

What to expect during Anaemia Profile – Macrocytic test?

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

What are the normal levels of Anaemia Profile – Macrocytic

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What if Anaemia Profile – Macrocytic results are Present/ Absent?

A CBC (complete blood count) is a test that measures the number and characteristics of different cells in the blood, including RBCs. A positive result on a CBC test for macrocytic anemia would indicate that the number of RBCs is increased, and the size of the RBCs is larger than normal.
Vitamin B12 and folic acid are both important nutrients that play a crucial role in the production of RBCs. A deficiency in either of these nutrients can lead to macrocytic anemia. A positive test for vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency would indicate that the person has a deficiency of these essential nutrients.

When the Macrocytic Anaemia Profile shows a positive test for macrocytic anemia on the CBC and deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folic acid, it suggests that the anemia is likely caused by a deficiency in these nutrients. This could be due to dietary deficiencies, malabsorption, or certain medical conditions that affect the absorption or metabolism of these nutrients.

This profile includes CBC, Vitamin B12, Folic acid.

Macrocytic anemia is a blood condition that develops when your bone marrow makes unusually big red blood cells. Red blood cells need certain nutrients to operate correctly, but these aberrant blood cells lack those. It could be brought on by a vitamin deficit or a comorbidity like hypothyroidism. Although macrocytic anaemia is not a serious sickness, it can have serious consequences for your health if you don’t address it.

Decrease in hemoglobin level or number of red blood cells (RBC) leads to anaemia. This affect oxygen carrying capacity of blood to various tissues and organs. Commonest cause of anemia is nutritional deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid. This can be due to either a lack of these substances in the diet, an increased loss that cannot be compensated by diet alone or an increased unmet demand during pregnancy and lactation.

Few of hereditary haemolytic anaemias include Hemoglobinopathies (Thalassemia’s, Sickle cell anaemia etc.), enzyme deficiency disorders (G6PD deficiency). Acquired Haemolytic Anaemias like Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemias, Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia are also common in Indian population.

Anaemia Profile- Macrocytic includes both basic & specialised tests to identify macrocytic anaemia and its causes.

Associated Tests:

A0442 Anaemia Profile-Mini

A0441 Anaemia Profile-Maxi

A0440 Anaemia Profile-Haemolytic Type

A0585 Anaemia Profile – Macrocytic

A0586 Anaemia Profile – Microcytic Hypochromic

A0443 Anaemia Profile-Nutritional

A0444 Anaemia Profile-Pernicious

A0587 Anaemia Workup Profile

Written by : Supriya Kulkarni, Lead-Content & Training

Reviewed by : Dr. Alap Christry M.D. AVP-Lab Operations & Scientific Business Head-Clinical Chemistry