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<span>MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)</span>
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<span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/mcv-mean-corpuscular-volume/</span>
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<h1>MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)</h1>
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<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is an MCV blood test?</h2>
<p>MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume. An MCV blood test measures the average size of your red blood cells.</p>
<p>Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body. Your cells need oxygen to grow, reproduce, and make energy. If your red blood cells are too small or too large, it could be a sign of a <a data-tid="3646" href="https://medlineplus.gov/blooddisorders.html">blood disorder</a> such as <a data-tid="139" href="https://medlineplus.gov/anemia.html">anemia</a>, a lack of certain vitamins, or other medical conditions.</p>
<p>Other names: CBC with differential, Mean Cell Volume, Mean Corpuscular Volume</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What is it used for?</h2>
<p>An MCV blood test is often part of a <a data-pid="728" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/complete-blood-count-cbc/">complete blood count</a> (CBC), a group of tests that measures the number and type of cells in your blood. It is used to check your general health.</p>
<p>An MCV test may also be used with other tests to help diagnose or monitor certain blood disorders, including anemia. There are several types of anemia, and each type has a different effect on the size, shape, and/or quality of your red blood cells. An MCV test can help diagnose which type of anemia you have.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Why do I need an MCV blood test?</h2>
<p>Your health care provider may order a complete blood count, which includes an MCV test, as part of your <a data-tid="4751" href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthcheckup.html">routine checkup</a>. You may also have the test if you have a chronic (long-lasting) condition that could lead to anemia or if you have symptoms of anemia, which could include:</p>
<ul>
<li><a data-tid="3077" href="https://medlineplus.gov/breathingproblems.html">Shortness of breath</a></li>
<li>Weakness or <a data-tid="5324" href="https://medlineplus.gov/fatigue.html">fatigue</a></li>
<li><a data-tid="273" href="https://medlineplus.gov/headache.html">Headache</a></li>
<li><a data-tid="216" href="https://medlineplus.gov/dizzinessandvertigo.html">Dizziness</a></li>
<li><a data-tid="147" href="https://medlineplus.gov/arrhythmia.html">Arrhythmia </a>(a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat)</li>
</ul></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What happens during an MCV blood test?</h2>
<p>During the test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?</h2>
<p>You don't need any special preparations for an MCV blood test. If your provider has ordered more tests on your blood sample, you may need to <a data-pid="858" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/fasting-for-a-blood-test/">fast</a> (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Are there any risks to the test?</h2>
<p>There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>What do the results mean?</h2>
<p>An MCV test alone cannot diagnose any disease. Your provider will use the results of your MCV, other test results, and your medical history to make a diagnosis.</p>
<p><strong>If your results show that your red blood cells are smaller than normal</strong>, it may be a sign of:</p>
<ul>
<li>Certain types of anemia, including iron deficiency anemia, the most common form of anemia. It happens when you don't have enough <a data-tid="5542" href="https://medlineplus.gov/iron.html">iron</a> in your body.</li>
<li><a data-tid="4239" href="https://medlineplus.gov/thalassemia.html">Thalassemia</a>, which is a group of blood disorders that are inherited (passed down through families). These disorders cause your body to make fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin. This can cause severe anemia.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>If your results show that your red blood cells are larger than normal</strong>, it may be a sign of:</p>
<ul>
<li>Pernicious anemia, which may be caused by:
<ul>
<li>A lack of <a data-tid="5376" href="https://medlineplus.gov/bvitamins.html">vitamin B12</a></li>
<li>A disease that affects your body's ability to use vitamin B12, such as certain <a data-tid="154" href="https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html">autoimmune diseases</a>, <a data-tid="897" href="https://medlineplus.gov/celiacdisease.html">celiac disease</a>, or <a data-tid="119" href="https://medlineplus.gov/crohnsdisease.html">Crohn's disease</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Anemia caused by a lack of <a data-tid="1611" href="https://medlineplus.gov/folicacid.html">folic acid</a></li>
<li><a data-tid="310" href="https://medlineplus.gov/liverdiseases.html">Liver disease</a></li>
</ul>
<p>It's also possible to have anemia with <strong>a normal MCV</strong>. This may happen if anemia is caused by conditions, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>A sudden l<a data-tid="6039" href="https://medlineplus.gov/bleeding.html">oss of blood</a></li>
<li><a data-tid="302" href="https://medlineplus.gov/kidneyfailure.html">Kidney failure</a></li>
<li><a data-tid="5955" href="https://medlineplus.gov/aplasticanemia.html">Aplastic anemia</a> (uncommon)</li>
</ul>
<p>If your MCV levels are not in the normal range, it doesn't always mean you have a medical problem that needs treatment. Your age, diet, activity level, medicines, <a data-tid="325" href="https://medlineplus.gov/menstruation.html">menstrual period</a>, and other conditions can affect the test results. Talk with your provider to learn what your results mean.</p>
<p>Learn more about <a data-pid="806" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/how-to-understand-your-lab-results/">laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results</a>.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-content"><h2>Is there anything else I need to know about an MCV blood test?</h2>
<p>If your provider thinks you may have anemia or another blood disorder, you may have other red blood cell tests with an MCV. These tests may include a red blood cell count and measurements of hemoglobin. All together, these tests are called <a data-pid="33154" href="https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/red-blood-cell-rbc-indices/">red blood cell indices</a>.</p></div>
</section>
<section><div class="mp-refs mp-content"><h2>References</h2>
<ol>
<li>American Society of Hematology [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American Society of Hematology; c2024. Anemia [cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia" target="bibliowin">https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia</a></li>
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library: Diagnostics &amp; Testing [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2024. Blood Tests; [reviewed 2022 Dec 06; cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 16 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24508-blood-tests" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24508-blood-tests</a></li>
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library: Diagnostics &amp; Testing [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2024. MCV Blood Test; [reviewed 2023 Jan 19; cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24641-mcv-blood-test" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24641-mcv-blood-test</a></li>
<li>Cleveland Clinic: Health Library: Diseases &amp; Conditions [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; c2024. Pernicious Anemia; [reviewed 2022 Feb 07; cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 13 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22377-pernicious-anemia" target="bibliowin">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22377-pernicious-anemia</a></li>
<li>Curry CV. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV). [updated 2019 Nov 19; cited 2024 Oct 17]. In Medscape: Drugs &amp; Diseases: Laboratory medicine [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): WebMD LLC; c1994-2024. Available from: <a href="https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2085770-overview#showall" target="bibliowin">https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2085770-overview#showall</a></li>
<li>Maner BS, Moosavi L. Mean Corpuscular Volume. [Updated 2024 Jul 27; cited 2024 Oct 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545275/" target="bibliowin">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545275/</a></li>
<li>Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998-2024. Macrocytosis; [cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 1 screen]. Available from: <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/macrocytosis/expert-answers/faq-20058234" target="bibliowin">https://www.mayoclinic.org/macrocytosis/expert-answers/faq-20058234</a></li>
<li>National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Thalassemia Diagnoses [updated 2022 Jun 1; cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/thalassemia/diagnosis" target="bibliowin">https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/thalassemia/diagnosis</a></li>
<li>National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Iron-Deficiency Anemia; [updated 2022 Mar 24; cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 6 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia" target="bibliowin">https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia</a></li>
<li>Nemours KidsHealth [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c1995-2024. Getting a Blood Test; [reviewed 2021 Sep; cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-tests.html" target="bibliowin">https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/blood-tests.html</a></li>
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2024. Anemia Testing; [modified 2021 Nov 9; cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 11 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/anemia-testing/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/anemia-testing/</a></li>
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2024. CBC Blood Test (Complete Blood Count); [modified 2022 Sep 28; cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 12 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cbc/tab/test" target="bibliowin">https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cbc/tab/test</a></li>
<li>Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. MCV Blood Test (Mean Corpusal Volume); [modified 2022 Sep 28; cited 2024 Oct 17]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: <a href="https://www.testing.com/tests/mcv-test/" target="bibliowin">https://www.testing.com/tests/mcv-test/</a></li>
</ol></div>
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