Anisocytosis in a general blood test

By the appearance of erythrocytes, platelets and other cells in the blood can be judged on the state of human health. Their size, shape and color matters. For example, a change in size may indicate a phenomenon such as anisocytosis of erythrocytes or anisocytosis of platelets. This, in turn, indicates the presence of diseases, and, as a rule, very serious. Of course, exact conclusions require additional tests, but the probability of the disease is quite high.

Causes of anisocytosis

Anisocytosis occurs as a result of the following changes or interventions in the body:

• lack of iron;
• lack of vitamin A;
• lack of vitamin B12;
• blood transfusion;
• oncological diseases;
• myelodysplastic syndrome.

The lack of iron in the body, just like the lack of vitamin B12, leads to the fact that the formation of red blood cells decreases. This in turn can cause anisocytosis.

The lack of vitamin A causes a change in the size of red blood cells, which is anisocytosis.

Very often, anisocytosis occurs after a blood transfusion, which has not been tested for this phenomenon. However, in this case the disease passes with time, and diseased blood cells are replaced by healthy ones.

Oncological diseases can cause anisocytosis if they contribute to the formation of metastases in the bone marrow.

Myelodysplastic syndrome promotes the formation of blood cells of unequal size, which leads to anisocytosis.

Symptoms of anisocytosis

The obvious symptoms of anisocytosis include:

• loss of strength , inability to perform long-term work;
• increased heart rate for no apparent reason (ie even in a calm state);
• shortness of breath , arising from time to time;
• skin, nails, eyeballs turn pale;

If these symptoms occur, you should contact the hospital as soon as possible to diagnose the condition of the body.

Types of anisocytosis

Anisocytosis may differ depending on which of the blood cells (erythrocytes or platelets) are modified and to what extent. This disease can be manifested as:

• microcytosis;
• macrocytosis;
• anisocytosis of a mixed type, characterized by the appearance of micro- and macro-cells.

In addition, the indicator of anisocytosis of erythrocytes is determined:

• + (1) - the number of red blood cells changed is less than 25% - an insignificant degree;
• ++ (2) - the number of modified cells in the 25-50% limit is moderate;
• +++ (3) - the number of erythrocytes of irregular shape or size 50-75% - expressed degree;
• ++++ (4) - all erythrocytes (about 100%) have an irregular shape or a changed size - a pronounced degree.

According to this indicator, a doctor can diagnose, for example, mixed type anisocytosis, moderate, ie, moderate. in the blood there are micro- and macro-cells, the total number of which does not exceed 50% of the total number of blood cells.

Anisocytosis, as a rule, indicates the onset of anemia - a disease that occurs due to a lack of vitamin B12, iron or other elements. However, there is anisocytosis, in which there is no significant change in the cells. In this case, the form of the disease is considered easy.

Treatment of anisocytosis

Treatment of this disease, as you might guess, should begin with the elimination of the cause of its appearance. In the case of anemia, patients are advised to adhere to the diet, in which the diet will include all the necessary microelements and vitamins. If the cause is cancer, then treatment is prescribed in accordance with its characteristics.