Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

MCV represents the average measurement of RBC volume. It is measured directly by automated instruments but calculated as Hct divided by RBC count with manual methods.

Normal range: 82.0 " “101.0 fL.

Use

MCV is helpful in the classification of anemias.

Interpretation

Increased In

Macrocytic anemias

Myelodysplastic syndromes

Alcoholism

Liver diseases

Hypothyroidism

Hemolysis with high reticulocyte count

Infants and newborns

Decreased In

Iron deficiency anemias

Thalassemias

Hereditary sideroblastic anemia

Lead poisoning

Anemia of chronic disease and other hemoglobinopathies (may be decreased or normal)

Limitations

MCV may be artificially increased with marked leukocytosis, numerous large platelets, cold agglutinins, methanol poisoning, marked hyperglycemia, and marked reticulocytosis.

MCV may be falsely decreased with in vitro hemolysis or fragmentation of RBCs.