What is MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): Purpose Results

Learn what MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) means, why it’s tested, and how results matter for your health. Global care insights from GetWellGo.

What is MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): Purpose Results

  • Category

    General

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    28-May-2025

What is MCV in blood test?

MCV stands for Mean Corpuscular Volume. It measures the average size of your red blood cells (RBCs) in a CBC test.

What is the main reason for having MCV?

MCV tells doctors what type of anemia or blood problem you c ould be experiencing. It may let you understand if you have enough of a normal type of red blood cell in circulation.

  • Iron-deficient anemia commonly appear as small red blood cells (microcytic)
  • Normal-sized (normocytic)
  • The red blood cells forming in your bone marrow are too large (macrocytic)

Mean Corpuscular Volume Normal Range

MCV Normal Range

Typically:

80–100 femtoliters (fL) per cell
(Range may vary slightly by lab)

High MCV Causes

An MCV of more than 100 fL indicates your red blood cells are larger than typical which is called macrocytosis. Often, this indicates macrocytic anemia, though it isn’t always the case. There are several common causes for high MCV levels:

Vitamin Deficiencies

Vitamin B12 deficiency

  • You might have Vitamin B12 deficiency if you do not eat animal products, are old or have a disorder that prevents nutrients from being absorbed.

Folate (Vitamin B9) deficiency

  • If a problem is caused by inadequate nutrition, drinking too much, being pregnant or taking certain medications

Alcohol Use

  • Having alcohol over time can result in macrocytosis apart from any anemia or liver disease.

Liver Disease

  • Issues with the liver can alter how lipids are used in red blood cells which make the cells bigger.

Hypothyroidism

  • When thyroid glands do not work enough, bone marrow can slow down and generate larger red blood cells.

Certain Medications

Most importantly, those drugs that affect the formation of DNA:

  • Chemotherapy agents
  • Methotrexate
  • Phenytoin
  • The medication known as zidovudine is used for HIV patients.

Problems Related to Bone Marrow

  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Aplastic anemia    

Reticulocytosis

  • More reticulocytes which grow to be normal RBCs, can be a reason for an elevated MCV, as happens after blood is lost or damaged (hemolysis).

Low MCV Causes

If your MCV reading is below 80 fL, it means your red blood cells are too small and you have microcytosis. This can often happen alongside microcytic anemia when the body does not make enough hemoglobin or iron.

Causes of Low MCV (Microcytic Anemia):

Iron Deficiency Anemia    

  • Usually develops because someone doesn’t eat nutritious meals, loses blood from heavy periods or ulcers or their gut doesn’t absorb the nutrients.

Thalassemia

  • Disorder in which there is too little hemoglobin inherited in blood. It is commonly associated with reduced red blood cell size and either normal or elevated red blood cell count

Chronic Disease (Anemia of Chronic Inflammation)

  • Rheumatoid arthritis and infection-related inflammation can keep iron from becoming available to your body.

Sideroblastic Anemia    

  • A condition in which iron can’t be added to hemoglobin, even though the iron level may be normal or higher than expected.

Lead Poisoning

  • Can make less hemoglobin and cause the cells to become smaller and pale. It usually happens to children more often.

Copper Deficiency (rare)

  • Sometimes, appears similar to iron-deficiency anemia.

MCV Test Purpose

With a Complete Blood Count (CBC), the MCV test is used to check the mean size of your RBCs and aid in the identification of anemia by type.

MCV Test Purpose:

Red blood cells are checked to help diagnose possible types of anemia or blood disorder.

Hemoglobin with an MCV less than 80 fL

  • Microcytic anemia
  • Trouble related to iron deficiency, known as thalassemia

Standard range for MCV is 80-100 fL.

  • Normocytic anemia
  • A continuous illness, sudden shock caused by blood loss

MCV readings > 100 fL    

  • Macrocytic anemia    
  • A shortage of vitamin B12 and folate or illnesses linked to the liver

What does MCV mean in CBC?

In a CBC (Complete Blood Count) test, MCV stands for Mean Corpuscular Volume. It means the average size (volume) of your red blood cells (RBCs).

MCV Anemia Diagnosis

Identifying the correct type of anemia often depends on the MCV readings. Blood examines the average size of red blood cells which helps to categorize anemia and inform future tests.

If MCV results in values < 80 fL:

  • Compare serum iron and ferritin → a low result means the patient is iron deficient.
  • When iron is normal → Suspect thalassemia or chronic disease

When MCV comes out normal, it is between 80 and 100 fL.

  • High reticulocyte count might indicate bleeding or hemolysis shouldn’t be ruled out
  • When the numbers decrease → It might signal chronic disease or bone marrow weakening

If we observe that MCV is higher than 100 fL:

  • Make sure both vitamin B12 and folate are within health range.
  • Examine your alcohol use, liver condition and any medicines you take

MCV is part of several tests used together to find out why someone has anemia:

  • Hemoglobin (Hb)
  • RBC count
  • RDW (Red cell Distribution Width) measures how much red blood cells vary in their size.
  • The number of reticulocytes in the blood measures how busy bone marrow is.
  • Checking for iron studies helps find out if there is too little iron.
  • For macrocytic anemia, B12 & Folate counts are important.
  • Hemoglobin electrophoresis is used in suspicions of thalassemia.

MCV and MCH Difference

Both MCV and MCH are found during a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and measure different sections of the red blood cells in your blood.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)

  • What it helps to find: The normal size of red blood cells
  • Units of measure: Femtoliters (fL)
  • Classifies the type of anemia as microcytic, normocytic or macrocytic
  • A normal range is 80–100 fL.

MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin)

  • It measures the typical hemoglobin found in a red blood cell pattern.
  • Picograms are used to measure units.    
  • Indicates what percentage of hemoglobin is in every red blood cell
  • A healthy level for these chemicals is 27–33 pg.

MCV Test Abnormal Values

MCV less than 80 fL

  • Red blood cells are not the typical size → microcytic anemia

Possible Causes:

  • Iron deficiency anemia occurs most often.
  • An inherited blood disorder type called thalassemia
  • Anemia that comes from chronic diseases
  • Lead poisoning
  • Sideroblastic anemia

Normal range is 80–100 fL 

  • Even though RBCs are not too large or small, you may have anemia → normocytic anemia

Possible Causes:

  • Sudden loss of blood
  • Chronic disease-related anemia
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Aplastic anemia
  • In the early stage, it is known as hemolytic anemia.

MCV greater than 100 fL

  • The red blood cells are abnormally large  → macrocytic anemia

Possible Causes:

  • Having poor levels of vitamin B12
  • Folate (B9) is a nutrient your body needs that it may be lacking.
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Liver disease
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Chemotherapy and some antiepileptic medicines called
  • Myelodysplastic syndrome

MCV Test Preparation

The Mean Corpuscular Volume test is included in a Complete Blood Count (CBC) which means the test measures red blood cell size. There is almost no prep required and it’s just a standard blood test.

What to Do Before Taking an MCV Test?

Fasting

  • Not required (Normal diet or fluid intake)

Medications

  • Continue taking your normal medicines, unless your doctor says otherwise.

Hydration

  • Having enough water should make the blood draw process smoother.

Inform Doctor

It’s important to share with your doctor:

  • Particularly, iron, B12 and folate supplements
  • Accordingly, health professionals use specific drugs, for example, chemotherapy and antiepileptic medications.
  • Any recent illness or chronic disease

Ways to Conduct the Test

  • Blood is drawn from a vein in your arm, usually an artery in your outer arm, for evaluation.
  • You’ll usually see the results in just a few minutes and get them at a diagnostic lab or clinic

Why Choose GetWellGo for MCV?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for MCV.
  • Expert Haematologist with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food
     

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