Understanding MCV: What is MCV and Why It Matters
Medical or plasma cell labeling (MCV) is a type of analysis used to identify and count individual red or white blood cells. MCV is also known as mean corpuscular volume and is an important measure of your overall health. An MCV test is part of a comprehensive metabolic panel or complete blood count (CBC).
The MCV test measures the average size of your red blood cells, a process called erythrocytes. The MCV helps a doctor determine if you have a deficiency in the number or size of those cells. Elevated MCV scores indicate a larger than normal sized cells, which can signify different conditions. Low scores indicate that the cells are smaller than normal.
What an Elevated MCV Means
An elevated MCV score can indicate a few different medical conditions, such as:
• Megaloblastic anemia
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Folate deficiency
• Liver disease, including chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
• Alcohol abuse
• Taking certain medications, like phenytoin or phenobarbital
Megaloblastic anemia occurs when your body doesn’t use folic acid or vitamin B12 as it should. This type of anemia can cause fatigue and weakness, and in rare cases, seizures and nerve damage. Vitamin and folate deficiencies can also cause malabsorption of other nutrients, including iron, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
What Low MCV Scores Mean
Low MCV scores can mean a few other medical conditions, like:
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Thalassemia
• Sickle cell anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia, also called sideropenic anemia, happens when your body doesn’t absorb enough iron, which can cause fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin production and lower creation of red blood cells. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder in which your red blood cells are shaped like crescents (instead of discs) and have a hard time delivering oxygen.
Significance of MCV
The MCV test is only one of several tests used to diagnose anemia. It’s important to remember that an elevated MCV isn’t always a sign of anemia, as it can also be an indicator of other medical conditions. If the MCV test results are elevated, your doctor may order additional tests to make a proper diagnosis.
It’s also important to note that an MCV test is just one of the many tests done in a comprehensive metabolic panel or complete blood count. These tests measure other substances, such as cholesterol, glucose, and electrolytes, and are used to give your doctor a complete picture of your health. The results of these tests can help your doctor diagnose or rule out any number of conditions and make the best treatment plan.