Megaloblastic Anemia
Megaloblastic anemia is a type of anemia where your body makes large, abnormal red blood cells that don’t work well. These cells can’t carry oxygen properly, so your body feels tired and weak.
The most common causes are:
Not having enough vitamin B12 or folic acid (types of vitamins your body needs to make healthy red blood cells)
Poor diet or not absorbing these vitamins well in your stomach or intestines
Certain health problems like stomach surgery, celiac disease, or Crohn’s disease
Some medicines can also affect vitamin absorption
You may feel:
Very tired or weak
Pale skin
Shortness of breath
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Fast heartbeat
Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
Trouble walking or balance problems (in some cases)
Memory or concentration problems
Contact your nurse or doctor if you:
Feel more tired or weak than usual
Notice new numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
Feel dizzy or have trouble breathing with mild activity
Have trouble concentrating or remembering things
Notice pale skin or yellowing of your eyes
Go to the ER right away if you:
Have chest pain or severe shortness of breath
Feel very dizzy, faint, or confused
Have sudden weakness or trouble walking
Experience severe numbness or loss of feeling
Have any other sudden, serious symptoms
Eat foods rich in vitamin B12 (like meat, eggs, dairy) and folic acid (like leafy green vegetables, beans, and fortified cereals)
Take vitamin supplements if your doctor prescribes them
Keep all your doctor and lab appointments to check your blood levels
Tell your doctor about any new symptoms right away
Avoid alcohol and smoking, which can affect vitamin absorption
Follow your doctor’s advice about medicines and diet
© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911
Patient Homework/Assessment
True or False: Megaloblastic anemia happens when your body makes large, abnormal red blood cells.
True or False: Vitamin B12 and folic acid are important for making healthy red blood cells.
True or False: Poor diet can cause megaloblastic anemia.
True or False: Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet can be a symptom of megaloblastic anemia.
True or False: Megaloblastic anemia only causes tiredness and no other symptoms.
True or False: You should call your nurse or doctor if you notice new numbness or tingling.
True or False: Chest pain means you should wait and see if it goes away before going to the ER.
True or False: Dizziness or trouble breathing with mild activity means you should call your home health nurse.
True or False: Memory or concentration problems can be signs of megaloblastic anemia.
True or False: Alcohol and smoking can affect vitamin absorption.
True or False: You should take vitamin supplements only if your doctor prescribes them.
True or False: Eating leafy green vegetables can help prevent megaloblastic anemia.
True or False: Megaloblastic anemia can cause balance problems or trouble walking.
True or False: Severe numbness or sudden weakness requires a trip to the emergency room.
True or False: You do not need to keep doctor appointments if you feel better.
True or False: Yellowing of the eyes is a symptom to watch for in megaloblastic anemia.
True or False: Medicines can never affect vitamin absorption.
True or False: Taking care of your diet can help manage megaloblastic anemia.
True or False: Sudden confusion or fainting means you should go to the emergency room.
True or False: Megaloblastic anemia cannot be treated with vitamins.
ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK
Do you know what your most recent vitamin B12 and folate levels were, and has your doctor explained what those results mean for your treatment?”
“Have you noticed symptoms such as numbness, tingling in your hands or feet, or trouble with balance that we should report to your healthcare provider?”
“Can you tell me what foods rich in vitamin B12 and folate you include in your diet, and do you feel confident about how to choose them?”
“Are you taking your prescribed supplements or injections as directed, and have you experienced any side effects or difficulties keeping up with the schedule?”
© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911
ANSWER KEY:
True — Megaloblastic anemia happens when the body makes large, abnormal red blood cells that don’t work properly.
True — Vitamin B12 and folic acid are needed to make healthy red blood cells.
True — Poor diet can lead to low vitamin B12 or folic acid, causing megaloblastic anemia.
True — Tingling or numbness in hands or feet happens because nerves can be affected by low vitamin B12.
False — Megaloblastic anemia causes tiredness and other symptoms like numbness, dizziness, or memory problems.
True — New numbness or tingling should be reported to your nurse or doctor right away.
False — Chest pain is serious and you should go to the emergency room immediately.
True — Dizziness or trouble breathing with mild activity means you should call your home health nurse.
True — Memory or concentration problems can occur if your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen.
True — Alcohol and smoking can reduce how well your body absorbs vitamins.
True — Only take vitamin supplements when prescribed by your doctor.
True — Leafy green vegetables are a good source of folic acid, which helps prevent this anemia.
True — Megaloblastic anemia can cause nerve problems that affect balance or walking.
True — Severe numbness or sudden weakness may be a medical emergency needing ER care.
False — You should keep all doctor appointments even if you feel better to ensure proper treatment.
True — Yellowing of the eyes can be a symptom, so it should be reported.
False — Some medicines can reduce vitamin absorption or cause anemia.
True — A healthy diet supports vitamin levels and helps manage anemia.
True — Sudden confusion or fainting can be signs of serious problems needing emergency care.
False — Megaloblastic anemia can be treated with vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements.