When applying to health institutions for various health problems encountered in daily life, different imaging or laboratory tests are often used to confirm the diagnosis before treatment planning.
What is MCV?
In clinical practice, it is frequently evaluated. At the beginning of blood tests, complete blood count or hemogram comes. complete blood count; It includes the cellular elements in our blood and a large number of parameters from which various properties of these elements are calculated. One of these parameters is the MCV value. Since the meanings of the abbreviated expressions in the test are not specified, and it is not clear what MCV means exactly, the patients asked “What is the MCV value in the blood?” Question marks such as ?","What is hematology MCV?", "What is blood test MCV?" may occur. Since it is necessary for the person to have adequate and accurate information about his/her health status, to protect and develop his/her health, sufficient information about the data in the analyzes may occur.
MCV is the abbreviation of "mean corpuscular volume" meaning "mean cellular volume" in English. Basically, there are three main cell classes in our blood, namely red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Each of these cells has different functions and vital importance for the body.In complete blood count, various features of these cells are examined in order to evaluate them functionally. amount. By calculating the size of red blood cells with the MCV value, valuable data are obtained in terms of various diseases.
Standard hematological examination; It is based on the examination of the blood sample under the microscope. In this method, called peripheral smear, the expert examines the cells subjectively in terms of size, density, shape and color characteristics. Today, these features are evaluated objectively in the light of numerical data with the help of automatic devices and presented in the form of parameters obtained in the examination. In MCV, red blood cells
What is the Normal MCV Value?
The MCV value in the blood in healthy people is between 80 – 100 fl. Accordingly, those with an MCV value below 80 are considered to have microcytosis (shrinkage of cells), and those with a MCV value above 100 are considered to have macrocytosis (growth of cells). When the MCV value is within the normal range, this condition is called normocytosis. According to these values, important information about the diseases in the person is obtained.
What is Low MCV?
When the MCV value is calculated below 80 in the complete blood count studied, the presence of various diseases is suspected along with other findings in the person. . The following conditions lead to a decrease in the MCV value:
- Iron deficiency anemia: When the amount of iron decreases for various reasons in the body, the red blood cell sizes decrease and the MCV value decreases.
- Anemia of chronic disease: Joint rheumatism, In people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and kidney failure, iron metabolism deteriorates in proportion to the inflammatory reaction in the body and there is a decrease in MCV value. their size decreases and the MCV value decreases.
- Mediterranean anemia (thalassemia): Genetically, defects in the structure of molecules in the red blood cell lead to a reduction in cell size and the MCV value decreases.
- Lead poisoning: Chronically In people exposed to lead, lead accumulates in red blood cells, causing disruptions in the production stages and eventually producing small cells.
- Vitamin B6 deficiency: Similar to copper, in cases where vitamin B6 is not taken in sufficient amounts, a decrease in cell sizes is observed. /ul>
What Symptoms Are Observed in Low MCV?
With the decrease in MCV, the lifespan of red blood cells gradually shortens. same thing Since insufficient red blood cells are produced due to the factors that cause MCV decrease in the clay, the problem of anemia arises. Therefore, low MCV is often accompanied by signs of anemia. The following symptoms can be seen frequently in disorders with low MCV:
- Weakness – tiredness
- Pale skin
- Fatigue
- Fatigue quickly
- Shortness of breath
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Participation seizures after crying in children
- Hair loss
- Deterioration of nail structure or frequent breakage
- Decrease in school success and difficulty concentrating in children
What is MCV Height?
Whole blood sample conducted in the person When the MCV value is above 100 in the count, macrocytosis is mentioned. Macrocytosis, that is, high MCV value is frequently observed in the following cases:
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: In case of insufficient amount of vitamin B12 in the body, their size increases due to deterioration in the production of red blood cells and MCV increases.
- Folic acid deficiency : As with vitamin B12, in case of folic acid deficiency, cells enlarge and the MCV value increases. : An increase in the volume of red blood cells may occur as a result of the thyroid gland working less normally.
- Liver failure: As a result of deterioration in the functions of the liver, the amount of harmful substances in the blood increases, leading to an increase in cell size.
- Vitamin B1 deficiency: When vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is taken insufficiently, MCV increases and increases the cell volume.
- Some genetic diseases: Cell sizes may expand in various genetic diseases such as orotic aciduria, leading to an increase in MCV value.
- Drug side effect: Some drugs used for various diseases cause an increase in the size of red blood cells as a side effect. It can increase the MCV value.
H in MCV Height What Symptoms Are Observed?
With high MCV, similar to low MCV, the lifespan of blood cells is shortened, and the destruction processes in the spleen are accelerated. Depending on this, symptoms of anemia may be seen, as well as additional symptoms depending on the underlying cause. The following symptoms may occur with
MCV elevation:- Weakness – fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Fatigue with exertion
- Dyspnea
- Neurological symptoms such as forgetfulness, loss of sensation, loss of balance
- Tenderness, pain and irritation in the tongue and mouth
- Difficulty concentrating and lack of attention
- Diarrhea
What to Do in the Treatment of Low or High MCV?
Changing the MCV value in a person alone is sufficient for the diagnosis of a disease is not. For this reason, it is very important that the results of blood tests are evaluated by a specialist physician. The physician can obtain various information as a result of the detailed disease history and detailed physical examination obtained from the patient, and may refer to additional imaging and laboratory tests if deemed necessary. Based on the data obtained as a result of all these, he finalizes the diagnosis of the disease and plans the appropriate treatment.
If the patient has low MCV, treatment is given for the underlying cause. In case of iron deficiency, while iron supplementation is given, the patient's daily eating habits are regulated and he or she is questioned in terms of additional diseases that may cause iron deficiency. In anemia of chronic disease, specific treatment is planned for the existing chronic disease. In blood loss; It is aimed to control diseases that may cause underlying bleeding. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are eliminated with supplementary foods. In this context, deficiencies of vitamins such as vitamin B12 and folic acid are tried to be eliminated by supplementation. It is recommended to stop harmful habits such as alcohol and smoking. Treatments for underlying hypothyroidism and liver diseases are applied. You can ask the questions you are wondering about MCV to the expert team of Group Florence Nightingale Hospitals and ask for suggestions regarding your question. To reach us, on our website You can use the contact form.Read: 0
