Your doctor will interpret this result, taking into account your medical history and other tests, such as RBC, hemoglobin, and other red blood cell indices. Microcytosis patients usually do not show any symptoms, unless their anemia is severe. Other complete blood count tests can help determine the cause of microcytosis, such as RDW and iron markers [ 4 ].
Causes shown below are commonly associated with low MCV. Work with your doctor or other health care professional to get an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause. The most common cause of low MCV is iron deficiency anemia. Without enough iron in the body, red blood cells cannot make hemoglobin, and this results in a smaller red blood cell size [ 3 , 5 ].
In a study of patients, the main cause of their low MCV microcytosis was iron deficiency. In addition, MCV in the study correlated with the severity of the underlying iron deficiency [ 6 ].
Iron deficiency can be due to dietary causes, or conditions that impair nutrient absorption such as celiac disease. Anemia of chronic disease is the most common cause of anemia after iron deficiency anemia. This type of anemia has been associated with smaller red blood cells and low MCV [ 5 ]. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. Low hemoglobin levels cause red blood cells to decrease in size, resulting in a low MCV [ 8 ].
Copper deficiency may also cause low MCV. However, it can also cause normal or high MCV [ 9 ]. Vitamin A deficiency can cause anemia with similar features to iron deficiency anemia, including low MCV [ 10 , 11 ]. Lead exposure has been associated with lower MCV [ 12 , 13 ]. Work with your doctor to determine and treat the cause of low MCV.
Attempting to raise MCV artificially may not address underlying health conditions and ultimately may do more harm than good.
Remember to discuss the lifestyle changes listed below with your doctor. None of these strategies should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes! Make sure you are eating a healthy and nutritious diet. In order to prevent nutrient deficiency, it is important that your diet consists of the recommended amount of iron, copper, and other essential nutrients [ 14 , 15 , 10 ].
In addition, you can sprinkle lemon juice on your meat and salads. Vitamin C can significantly increase the absorption of iron from foods [ 16 ].
You don't need any special preparations for an MCV blood test. If your health care provider has ordered more tests on your blood sample, you may need to fast not eat or drink for several hours before the test.
Your health care provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. 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.
If your MCV levels are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a medical problem needing treatment. Diet, activity level, medicines, a women's menstrual cycle, and other considerations can affect the results. Talk to your health care provider to learn what your results mean.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. If your health care provider suspects you have anemia or another blood disorder, he or she may order additional tests of your red blood cells. These include a red blood cell count and measurements of hemoglobin. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.
Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. What is an MCV blood test? Other names: CBC with differential. What is it used for? Macrocytosis is a useful diagnostic indicator of alcoholism. MCV values greater than fl in patients with liver disease almost invariably indicate alcohol-related disease. In the short-term, changes in MCV are of little use in monitoring alcohol intake.
Abstract The incidence of macrocytosis, defined as a mean corpuscular volume MCV of greater than 95 fl and large red cells on peripheral blood film, was determined in alcoholics with liver disease 95 females: males , 60 non-alcoholics with chronic liver disease 44 females: 16 males and 35 control subjects 15 females: 20 males.
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