What is MCV? Why my MCV value is abnormal?
Many people have access to their electronic medical records and are able to see their blood test reports. Understanding different lab results can be daunting for people with no medical background. Here I will explain the significance of abnormal MCV values in the complete blood count report.
MCV is abbreviated for Mean corpuscular volume, MCV is a laboratory value that measures the average size and volume of a red blood cell. Red blood cells contain a special protein called hemoglobin, which makes blood look red. Hemoglobin helps carry oxygen from the lungs to all over the body.
The normal MCV range varies slightly from lab to lab. The average MCV ranges from 80 to 100 femtoliters. The red blood cells are called microcytes if their MCV is below 80 femtoliters. They are called macrocytes if their MCV is above 100 femtoliters.
Common Causes of Elevated MCV:
* Vitamin B12 deficiency
* Folate deficiency
* Liver Disease
* Alcoholism
* Hypothyroidism
* Chronic hypoxia
* Effects of certain medications
* Myelodysplastic syndromes
Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
* Vegan diet
* Autoimmune gastritis
* Medications
Metformin
H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors
* Stomach surgeries such as gastric bypass surgery
* Nitric oxide abuse
Causes of Low MCV
* Iron deficiency anemia
* Thalassemia
* Anemia of chronic disease
* Lead poisoning
* Sideroblastic anemia