Which other abnormal laboratory finding is commonly associated with myeloid metaplasia?

Myeloid metaplasia, also known as extramedullary hematopoiesis, is a condition where the bone marrow is unable to produce blood cells adequately, and hematopoiesis occurs in tissues outside the bone marrow. This situation often leads to various metabolic changes in the body, including alterations in uric acid levels.

An increased level of uric acid is commonly associated with myeloid metaplasia. This increase can be attributed to several factors. First, the breakdown of purines, which are found in the DNA and RNA of cells, leads to the production of uric acid. In cases of myeloid metaplasia, the excess production of blood cells, including immature forms, can happen, resulting in elevated cellular turnover. This heightened turnover increases the production of uric acid due to the increased breakdown of nucleic acids.

Patients with myeloid metaplasia often experience a range of hematological issues and may also develop secondary problems such as gout, which is linked to high levels of uric acid in the blood. This helps confirm that the expected finding in individuals with myeloid metaplasia would be elevated uric acid levels, aligning with the choice indicating increased uric acid