What is a key distinguishing feature of folic acid deficiency from Iron deficiency anemia?

A key distinguishing feature of folic acid deficiency anemia is the presence of an increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV). In folic acid deficiency, the body is unable to properly synthesize DNA during red blood cell production, leading to the formation of larger-than-normal red blood cells, a condition known as macrocytic anemia. This results in an elevated MCV, which is a measurement of the average size of red blood cells.

In contrast, iron deficiency anemia is associated with microcytic anemia, characterized by a decreased MCV due to insufficient hemoglobin production, which leads to smaller red blood cells. Therefore, the presence of an increased MCV helps differentiate folic acid deficiency from iron deficiency anemia, providing valuable diagnostic information for appropriate treatment strategies.