mean corpuscular volume (MCV)

Reference interval: - 80-96 um3 Method: - many automated cell counters directly measure the MCV - may be calculated from the hematocrit & erythrocyte count MCV (fL) = Hct (volume fraction) / erythrocytes per liter Decreases: 1) iron-deficiency anemia 2) thalassemia 3) anemia of chronic disease/inflammation 4) some hemoglobinopathies 5) hyperthyroidism (occasionally) Increases: 1) macrocytic anemia a) vitamin B12 deficiency b) folate deficiency 2) alcoholism 3) non-megaloblastic macrocytosis a) large numbers of reticulocytes 1] acute blood loss anemia 2] hemolytic anemia b) aplastic anemia c) hypothyroidism d) liver disease e) disseminated liver disease 4) cold agglutinins (cold agglutinin syndrome) - very high MCV (> 130 fL) may be noted due to RBC agglutination [1] 5) smoking 6) leukocytosis (> 25,000/uL) with Coulter counter model S 7) pharmaceutical agents a) zidovudine (AZT) b) acyclovir c) aminosalicylic acid d) anticonvulsants e) azathioprine f) azauridine g) colchicine h) cycloserine i) cytarabine j) fluorouracil k) glutethemide l) hydroxyurea m) isoniazid n) mefenamic acid o) mercaptopurine p) metformin q) methotrexate r) neomycin s) nitrofurans t) oral contraceptives u) pentamidine v) phenacetin w) pyrimethamine x) thioguanine y) triamterene z) trimethoprim Note: - MCV may NOT be reliable when large numbers of abnormal erythrocytes (i.e. sickle cells) or a dimorphic population of erythrocytes is present

Specific

reticulocytes mean volume

General

clinical hematology test

References

Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, 18. American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998, 2018
Panel of 10 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 40002
Panel of 24 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 40003

Component-of

complete blood count (CBC)

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