PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - A. M. Shojania
TI  - Problems in the diagnosis and investigation of megaloblastic anemia
DP  - 1980 May 10
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 999--1004
VI  - 122
IP  - 9
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/122/9/999.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/122/9/999.full
SO  - CMAJ1980 May 10; 122
AB  - The diagnosis of megaloblastic anemia and the differentiation of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency require, in addition to careful attention to the history and physical findings, the use of laboratory tests. In this paper the commonly ordered tests for such a diagnosis are discussed, with emphasis on the conditions that may cause false-positive or false-negative results in the complete blood count, examination of a peripheral blood smear and a bone marrow specimen, serum and erythrocyte folate assays, serum vitamin B12 assays, tests of vitamin B12 absorption and gastric analysis.