MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume, which is a value calculated during a routine blood test called a complete blood count (CBC) . An MCV blood test measures the average size of red blood cells (RBC) in a sample of blood. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, and the characteristics of RBCs, including size, provide information about how successfully they can transport oxygen.
An MCV blood test is often part of a complete blood count (CBC), which is a common blood test that measures many parts of the blood, including red blood cells. It is used to check general health and may also be used with other tests to help diagnose or monitor certain blood disorders, including anemia. Anemia is a common blood disorder in which the body cannot carry and distribute a necessary amount of oxygen to organs and tissues. An MCV test can help diagnose which type of anemia a person has.
During an analysis of CBC, MCV may be compared to other RBC indices to diagnose different types of anemia. The RBC indices include mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW) .
A typical adult MCV level is 80–100 femtoliters (fl) . If a persons red blood cells are too small or too large, it could be a sign of a blood disorder such as anemia, a lack of certain vitamins, or other medical conditions. An MCV blood test is routinely performed by an automated machine on all CBCs.
