They will then apply a bandage or gauze wrap. As long as you are feeling well, you will leave as soon as the test is done. Side effects are uncommon but may include:. The length of time until you get your results can vary.
Sometimes it depends on whether the lab is on site or if your blood has to be sent to another lab. In a hospital or clinic with a lab, results might be available the same day.
When looking at your results, it's helpful for your healthcare provider to compare them to your prior CBCs. That way, they can see if your MCV has changed over time. Most often, a healthcare provider wants to look at MCV if you have anemia so that they can determine which type you have. But it is also important even if you don't have anemia. Several things can cause a high or low MCV. But your healthcare provider should always interpret the MCV alongside other measurements when looking for the cause of anemia.
A normal MCV is 80 to 96 femtoliters per cell. A femtoliter is a cubic micrometer. Unusually high or low MCV can indicate several conditions. In addition to anemia, MCV outside of an expected range can indicate poisoning, vitamin deficiency, and liver disease. A low MCV may be seen with:.
The lowest MCV levels for example, less than 70, called severe microcytosis are usually a sign of iron deficiency anemia or thalassemia.
However, conditions don't always fall neatly into these categories. Iron deficiency anemia may sometimes have a normal MCV. MCV typically increases with age. Conditions associated with a high MCV include:. The highest MCV levels for example, higher than , known as severe macrocytosis are usually due to vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies or cold agglutinin disease. Anemias that often have a normal MCV normocytic anemias include:.
When anemia is present, MCV can help determine the causes. The reticulocyte count a measure of new red blood cells is an important first step in determining the cause of anemia. That's because it can separate anemias into two major categories:. A normal or low reticulocyte count suggests that the body cannot keep up with making new red cells. For example, this may happen when someone is deficient in iron or folate.
However, on the other hand, a high count indicates the body is trying to raise the low red blood cell count. This is seen when red blood cells are lost from bleeding or cell damage. Cells with a low MCHC are called hypochromic , which means light-colored. RDW describes the variation in the size of red blood cells. Anisocytosis is the medical term for red blood cells of various sizes.
For example, in sideroblastic anemia, most cells may be large, but some cells will be small. Further tests may be helpful in combination with MCV and other red blood cell indices as well. They include:. Blood differential : A blood differential may give further clues about anemia. This test shows variations in cell size, shape, or color.
Other findings may include:. Iron tests : Serum iron, iron-binding capacity, and serum ferritin can be helpful, especially with a low MCV. For example, the MCV will be low with sideroblastic anemia, but iron stores may be very high. Vitamin B12 level : Vitamin B12 levels can be used to diagnose deficiency in macrocytic anemias. Hemoglobin electrophoresis HE : HE can test for a beta-thalassemia trait an inherited blood disorder.
It can not, however, test for alpha thalassemia an inherited anemia. Bone marrow biopsy: A bone marrow biopsy may be helpful to look at the number and types of cells in the biopsy. It may also be used to evaluate iron. MCV, along with other tests, can help your healthcare provider determine what type of anemia you have. In some cases, a bone marrow biopsy may also be helpful. The MCV test can provide important information even when the red blood count is normal.
A few examples include:. For example, a study found that people with kidney disease who had a high MCV were more than twice as likely to die of all causes of mortality. In addition, they were over 3. Follow-up testing depends on the results of the MCV test and other measurements. MCV is useful for evaluating anemia and some other medical conditions. But it is not usually looked at alone. In addition to anemia, MCV outside of an expected range can suggest poisoning, vitamin deficiency, and liver disease.
MCV can also help determine a prognosis for certain cancers and chronic kidney disease. In addition, it may be used as a tool to evaluate cognitive function in older adults. The MCV test, especially when combined with other numbers on a CBC, can help diagnose anemia, planning treatment, or predicting prognosis with other medical conditions. On the other hand, high MCV values are most commonly a consequence of vitamin b deficiency. This condition can be normalized by taking vitamin b rich foods.
Providers Locations. The MCV test can be done in any of the following locations across the U. To know the MCV test cost, refer to the first section of the article. Frequently Asked Questions.
Will insurance cover my testing cost? No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes. How should I book my appointment? You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order? Yes, you can cancel your lab test order anytime before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations? Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed. How do I receive my report? To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider. Other topics you may be interested in Home Contact Us. Is there any Preparation Required before the Test? Are there any risks in the CBC test? How to reduce high MCV levels in blood? Providers Locations For our readers, who are very much interested in knowing the MCV Blood test cost beforehand, we would like to begin with that section.
In your blood, the blood cells are categorized into three main categories, they are — Red blood cells, White blood cells, and Platelets This MCV blood test shows the average size of your RBCs, red blood cells , also known as erythrocytes. However, your physician will look in particular for the MCV values for certain medical conditions, such as — To evaluate possible symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, pale skin, and lightheadedness To distinguish between different types of anemia To evaluate other blood abnormalities such as an abnormal white blood cell or platelet count As an additional test in many medical conditions As an estimate of prognosis in people with some medical conditions MCV Blood Test Values How is the CBC test performed?
Is there any preparation required before the test? Your body absorbs a small amount of iron that you eat in order to produce hemoglobin. Some of the general causes of iron deficiency include eating a diet that is low in iron, major surgery or trauma, or blood loss. In more rare cases, low MCH can be caused by a genetic condition called thalassemia.
In this condition, production of hemoglobin is limited. An MCH value calculated above This means that there is a larger amount of hemoglobin present per red blood cell. High MCH value can often be caused by anemia due to a deficiency of B vitamins, particularly B and folate. Both of these vitamins are required by your body in order to make red blood cells. These types of anemia can develop if your diet is low in B vitamins or if your body does not absorb B or folate properly.
If you have anemia due to folate deficiency, you could experience the following additional symptoms:. Treatment for low MCH caused by iron deficiency can include adding iron-rich foods to your diet there are even vegetarian options and taking iron supplements. In rare cases, such as when symptoms are severe or blood loss has occurred, you may need a blood transfusion. People with mild thalassemia may not require treatment. However, blood transfusions may be required if your symptoms are severe.
Treatment for anemias caused by B or folate deficiencies are commonly treated by lifestyle changes, such as adding foods rich in vitamin B and folate to your diet.
Your doctor may also recommend taking supplements of these vitamins to further boost your B and folate levels or, if absorption is a problem, prescribe B injections. Low MCH values are often caused by iron deficiency anemia. Typically, this condition can be treated with lifestyle changes including consuming foods rich in iron as well as taking iron supplements. In the rare case that your low MCH value is caused by thalassemia, you may require blood transfusions if your symptoms are severe.
High MCH values caused by a deficiency of the vitamins B or folate can also often be treated with changes to your lifestyle that include dietary modifications and supplements, or injectable B
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