MCV
Background
- Mean corpuscular volume; average size of red blood cells
- Useful for classifying anemia by RBC morphology
Normal Values
- Normal: 80-100 fL
- Microcytic: <80 fL
- Macrocytic: >100 fL
Interpretation
- Microcytic anemia (MCV <80): iron deficiency (most common), thalassemia, anemia of chronic disease, sideroblastic anemia, lead poisoning
- Normocytic anemia (MCV 80-100): acute blood loss, anemia of chronic disease, renal failure, mixed deficiency
- Macrocytic anemia (MCV >100): B12/folate deficiency, alcoholism, medications (methotrexate, AZT), myelodysplastic syndrome, hypothyroidism, liver disease, reticulocytosis