Contributed by – Healthians Team
What is the MCV test?
MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume. Basically, we have three main types of corpuscular in our blood – red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. An MCV blood test aims at measuring the average size of red blood cells which are also known as erythrocytes.
You might already know that the job of red blood cells is to move oxygen from the lungs to every cell in the body. With the help of oxygen, cells grow, reproduce, and stay healthy. In case the test result shows an abnormal size of the red blood cells, then it could be a sign of the presence of blood disorders such as anaemia, vitamin deficiency, or other related conditions.
Who should get an MCV test?
Doctors usually order an MCV test in case the following symptoms are present –
- Fatigue
- Unusual bleeding
- Bruising
- Cold hands and feet
- Pale skin
Why is the MCV test needed?
While an MCV test can provide important information about your health, it is typically not used alone. It’s recommended as a part of the CBC test (complete blood count test). Now, the CBC test can be used for routine health checkups or can be recommended to diagnose a condition when symptoms of blood disorders are present. There are times when doctors use MCV test to monitor an existing condition or to check the effectiveness of treatment.
What does MCV test results mean?
80-100 fl (femtoliters) is usually considered as the normal range of MCV. However, remember that this range can vary from lab to lab.
If the test results indicate a low MCV, it means that the red blood cells are smaller than the average. This condition is called microcytosis. The following conditions are possible causes –
- Iron deficiency anemia or other types of anemia
- Thalassemia
Whereas a high MCV indicates larger red blood cells, a condition called macrocytosis. Possible causes are –
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Folic acid deficiency
- Liver disorders
- Hypothyroidism
If your test results are not normal, it does not necessarily mean that you have some medical problem. Sometimes, diet, physical activity, and medications also become the cause of abnormal test results. So, always talk to a doctor about what your results mean for you.
How is the MCV test done?
A small sample of blood is needed for the test. Health care providers usually draw it from a vein in the arm. The process is simple, quick, and often painless. There’s no such preparation that you will have to do before the sample collection. Fasting is not required either. But, be sure to inform your doctor about any existing conditions or medications you are taking, because they can possibly affect your test results.
