TIETOPAKETIT

Mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells (E-MCV)

What is mean corpuscular volume of red cells (E-MCV)?

The mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells known as MCV indicates the average size of the red blood cells. 

MCV is tested for example when looking for the causes of diagnosed anemia. Anemia is classified as microcytic if the MCV is below reference values, macrocytic if the MCV is above reference values, and normocytic if the MCV falls within the reference values.

Reference values for E-MCV

Reference value for MCV in both adult men and women is 82–98 fL. 

MCV indicates the volume, or size, of the red blood cells. The unit of femtolitre (fL) corresponds to 0.000000000000001 litres. In other words, one red blood cell is extremely small. 

Reference levels may vary depending on the laboratory and the test analysis method. Puhti samples are taken and analysed at the laboratories of Mehiläinen. 

Low E-MCV value

Low E-MCV value is a sign of microcytic anemia. 

Microcytic anemia

Microcytic anemias include: 

• iron deficiency anemia 
• haemoglobinopathies (such as sickle cell anemia) 
• sideroblastic anemia 

Iron deficiency anemia is by far the most common type of anemia and can be caused, for example, by prolonged blood loss due to heavy menstruation or intestinal bleeding. It may also be caused by giving birth, donating blood, or poor absorption of iron. Iron deficiency can also occur when a person does not get enough iron in their diet.

Normal E-MCV value in conjunction with anemia

In normocytic anemias, the volume of red blood cells is normal, but the hemoglobin level is low.

Normocytic anemia

In normocytic anemias, the volume of red blood cells is normal, but their number is small. 

Normocytic anemias include: 

• anemia due to bleeding 
• anemia associated with long-term illness 
• hemolytic anemia 
• aplastic anemia 

High E-MCV value

High E-MCV value is a sign of macrocytic anemia. 

Macrocytic anemia

Macrocytic anemias include: 

• Megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency
• Pernicious anemia, in which the vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by malabsorption resulting from an autoimmune disease 

High MCV values can also be caused by folic acid deficiency. 

If a working-age person has a normal hemoglobin level but elevated MCV, the reason is usually alcoholism. Cutting back alcohol consumption lowers the MCV value, but this takes months. 

Thrombocytes, blood cell platelet count (B-Tromb)

Basophils are white blood cells (B-Baso, L-Baso%)

Mean hemoglobin mass of red blood cell (E-MCH)

Monocytes are white blood cells (B-Monos, L-Monos%)

Red blood cell distribution width (E-RDW)