Mean corpuscular volume

The mean corpuscular volume, or MCV, is a measure of the average red blood cellvolume that is reported as part of a standard complete blood count.

In patients with anemia, it is the MCV measurement that allows classification as either a microcytic anemia(MCV below normal range) or macrocytic anemia (MCV above normal range).

It can be calculated by multiplying the hematocritpercentage by ten, and dividing the product by the RBC (red blood cell) count. The result is typically reported in femtoliters.

If the MCV was determined by automated equipment, the result can be compared to RBC morphology on a peripheral blood smear. Any deviation would be indicitive of either faulty equipment or technician error.

The normal range is typically 80-96 fl. In pernicious anemia(macrocytic), MCV can range up to 150 femtoliters. An enlarged MCV is also associated with alcoholism¹ (as are an elevated GGTand a ratio of AST:ALTof 2:1). In iron deficiency anemia (microcytic), it can be as low as 60 to 70 femtoliters. In cases of thalassemia, the MCV may be low even though the patient is not iron deficient.

References

1. Tonnesen H, Hejberg L, Frobenius S, Andersen JR. Erythrocyte mean cell volume--correlation to drinking pattern in heavy alcoholics. Acta Med Scand. 1986;219(5):515-8. PMID 3739755

See also

• Anemia: Differential Diagnosis
• Liver function tests
• Full blood count

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean+corpuscular+volume Wikipedia article Mean corpuscular volume.