Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
|
| The MCV is a measure of the actual
volume occupied by a red blood cell.
This measurement is clinically significant in the presence of anemia as
it allows for categorizing the type of anemia.
Causes of Macrocytic Anemia (Increased MCV)
- Poor diet
- Starvation
- Malabsorbtion
- Intestinal diseases
- Malignancy
- Hyperthyroidism
- Alcoholism
- Pregnancy
Causes of Normocytic Anemia (Normal MCV)
- Hemorrhage
- Hemolysis
- Bone marrow malfunction
|
Normal Values*
| MCV |
87-103 cubic µm/red cell |
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The
actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing
protocol to another. |
Source:
Operational Medicine 2001, Health
Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington,
D.C., 20372-5300 |