Mean Cell Volume
Mean Cell Volume
Mean cell volume measures the average size of your red blood cells, helping to distinguish between different types of anaemia (insufficient red blood cells).
Mean cell volume measures the average size of your red blood cells, helping to distinguish between different types of anaemia (insufficient red blood cells).
Mean Cell Volume
Normal range
Normal range
76-100 fL
76-100 fL
Normal range
76-100 fL
76-100 fL
Normal range
Mean Cell Volume
Mean Cell Volume
Mean cell volume measures the average size of your red blood cells, helping to distinguish between different types of anaemia (insufficient red blood cells).
Mean Cell Volume
Normal range
76-100 fL
Normal range
76-100 fL
76-100 fL
Normal range
Mean Cell Volume
Mean Cell Volume
Mean cell volume measures the average size of your red blood cells, helping to distinguish between different types of anaemia (insufficient red blood cells).
Mean Cell Volume
Normal range
76-100 fL
Normal range
76-100 fL
76-100 fL
Normal range
Mean Cell Volume
Dr. Yiannis Balanos
MBBS MRCGP
Putting size into context
Putting size into context
Every red blood cell in your body has a specific size optimised for carrying oxygen efficiently through your bloodstream. Mean Cell Volume measures the average size of these cellular oxygen carriers, revealing whether they're equipped to do their job effectively. This simple measurement often provides the first clue about what's happening inside your body—sometimes before you even notice symptoms.
Every red blood cell in your body has a specific size optimised for carrying oxygen efficiently through your bloodstream. Mean Cell Volume measures the average size of these cellular oxygen carriers, revealing whether they're equipped to do their job effectively. This simple measurement often provides the first clue about what's happening inside your body—sometimes before you even notice symptoms.
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Small
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Small
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Small
Discover how undersized red blood cells struggle to carry sufficient oxygen.
Read more
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Large
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Large
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Large
Learn how oversized red blood cells struggle to navigate your bloodstream and deliver oxygen efficiently.
Read more
What Determines Your Cell Size?
What Determines Your Cell Size?
What Determines Your Cell Size?
Uncover the nutritional deficiencies and health conditions that dramatically alter your red blood cell size.
Read more
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Decode the numbers that reveal your red blood cell size.
Read more
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Small
Small red blood cells—medically termed microcytic—are usually an indicator of an underlying cause.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of small red blood cells. Without adequate iron, your body produces smaller, paler red blood cells that struggle to meet your tissues' oxygen demands. In cases where you’re iron deficient, you may experience the signs of poor oxygen delivery: persistent fatigue, unusual weakness during routine activities, pale skin, and shortness of breath during previously manageable tasks. Your hands and feet may feel persistently cold, even in warm conditions.
Beyond iron deficiency, small red blood cells can be explained by chronic inflammatory diseases that interfere with iron utilisation and inherited blood disorders like thalassaemia.
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Small
Small red blood cells—medically termed microcytic—are usually an indicator of an underlying cause.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of small red blood cells. Without adequate iron, your body produces smaller, paler red blood cells that struggle to meet your tissues' oxygen demands. In cases where you’re iron deficient, you may experience the signs of poor oxygen delivery: persistent fatigue, unusual weakness during routine activities, pale skin, and shortness of breath during previously manageable tasks. Your hands and feet may feel persistently cold, even in warm conditions.
Beyond iron deficiency, small red blood cells can be explained by chronic inflammatory diseases that interfere with iron utilisation and inherited blood disorders like thalassaemia.
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Small
Small red blood cells—medically termed microcytic—are usually an indicator of an underlying cause.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of small red blood cells. Without adequate iron, your body produces smaller, paler red blood cells that struggle to meet your tissues' oxygen demands. In cases where you’re iron deficient, you may experience the signs of poor oxygen delivery: persistent fatigue, unusual weakness during routine activities, pale skin, and shortness of breath during previously manageable tasks. Your hands and feet may feel persistently cold, even in warm conditions.
Beyond iron deficiency, small red blood cells can be explained by chronic inflammatory diseases that interfere with iron utilisation and inherited blood disorders like thalassaemia.
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Large
Large red blood cells—called macrocytic—are typically associated with different causes to those that cause microcytic cells.
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency may cause large red blood cells, and there may be associated symptoms to being low on these vitamins, such as fatigue, sensation of tingling, or difficulty focusing.
Other causes of macrocytic cells include regular alcohol consumption, thyroid disorders, liver disease, and certain medications.
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Large
Large red blood cells—called macrocytic—are typically associated with different causes to those that cause microcytic cells.
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency may cause large red blood cells, and there may be associated symptoms to being low on these vitamins, such as fatigue, sensation of tingling, or difficulty focusing.
Other causes of macrocytic cells include regular alcohol consumption, thyroid disorders, liver disease, and certain medications.
When Your Red Blood Cells Are Too Large
Large red blood cells—called macrocytic—are typically associated with different causes to those that cause microcytic cells.
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency may cause large red blood cells, and there may be associated symptoms to being low on these vitamins, such as fatigue, sensation of tingling, or difficulty focusing.
Other causes of macrocytic cells include regular alcohol consumption, thyroid disorders, liver disease, and certain medications.
What Determines Your Cell Size?
Your red blood cell size reflects a complex interplay of nutritional availability, underlying health conditions, and genetic factors that influence cellular development.
Iron deficiency remains the primary cause of small red blood cells (microcytosis), whether from inadequate dietary intake, poor absorption due to digestive disorders, or blood loss. Chronic inflammatory conditions can also interfere with iron utilisation, whilst inherited disorders like thalassaemia affect the basic structure of red blood cells.
For large red blood cells (macrocytosis), nutritional deficiencies can also play a role. Vitamin B12 deficiency can develop gradually in those with low intake. Vegetarians and vegans face particular risk since B12 is primarily found in animal products. Folate deficiency, whilst less common in countries with fortified foods, can occur with inadequate dietary intake such as leafy greens. Regular alcohol consumption has also been shown to lead to macrocytosis, likely by interfering with blood cell production.
MCV has also been found to increase slightly with age, but this is often not clinically significant.
What Determines Your Cell Size?
Your red blood cell size reflects a complex interplay of nutritional availability, underlying health conditions, and genetic factors that influence cellular development.
Iron deficiency remains the primary cause of small red blood cells (microcytosis), whether from inadequate dietary intake, poor absorption due to digestive disorders, or blood loss. Chronic inflammatory conditions can also interfere with iron utilisation, whilst inherited disorders like thalassaemia affect the basic structure of red blood cells.
For large red blood cells (macrocytosis), nutritional deficiencies can also play a role. Vitamin B12 deficiency can develop gradually in those with low intake. Vegetarians and vegans face particular risk since B12 is primarily found in animal products. Folate deficiency, whilst less common in countries with fortified foods, can occur with inadequate dietary intake such as leafy greens. Regular alcohol consumption has also been shown to lead to macrocytosis, likely by interfering with blood cell production.
MCV has also been found to increase slightly with age, but this is often not clinically significant.
What Determines Your Cell Size?
Your red blood cell size reflects a complex interplay of nutritional availability, underlying health conditions, and genetic factors that influence cellular development.
Iron deficiency remains the primary cause of small red blood cells (microcytosis), whether from inadequate dietary intake, poor absorption due to digestive disorders, or blood loss. Chronic inflammatory conditions can also interfere with iron utilisation, whilst inherited disorders like thalassaemia affect the basic structure of red blood cells.
For large red blood cells (macrocytosis), nutritional deficiencies can also play a role. Vitamin B12 deficiency can develop gradually in those with low intake. Vegetarians and vegans face particular risk since B12 is primarily found in animal products. Folate deficiency, whilst less common in countries with fortified foods, can occur with inadequate dietary intake such as leafy greens. Regular alcohol consumption has also been shown to lead to macrocytosis, likely by interfering with blood cell production.
MCV has also been found to increase slightly with age, but this is often not clinically significant.
Understanding Your Results
MCV is measured in femtoliters (fL)
Normal range: 76-100 fL
Microcytic (small): Below 76 fL
Macrocytic (large): Above 100 fL
The test forms part of a full blood count (FBC) and helps doctors distinguish between different types of anaemia, guiding them toward the most appropriate investigations and treatments for your specific situation.
Understanding Your Results
MCV is measured in femtoliters (fL)
Normal range: 76-100 fL
Microcytic (small): Below 76 fL
Macrocytic (large): Above 100 fL
The test forms part of a full blood count (FBC) and helps doctors distinguish between different types of anaemia, guiding them toward the most appropriate investigations and treatments for your specific situation.
Understanding Your Results
MCV is measured in femtoliters (fL)
Normal range: 76-100 fL
Microcytic (small): Below 76 fL
Macrocytic (large): Above 100 fL
The test forms part of a full blood count (FBC) and helps doctors distinguish between different types of anaemia, guiding them toward the most appropriate investigations and treatments for your specific situation.
The Takeaway
Mean Cell Volume serves as a diagnostic window into your red blood cells' health, revealing whether these vital oxygen carriers are optimally sized for their crucial role. However, MCV itself isn't a condition requiring treatment—it's a valuable marker that points to underlying health issues that may need attention. For example, if there is an underlying deficiency such as iron or folate that has caused a change in cell size, with treatment, MCV will typically return to normal ranges over time.
Don't dismiss persistent fatigue or assume nutritional deficiencies are minor inconveniences. These underlying conditions can significantly impact your quality of life and, if left untreated, may lead to more serious complications. A simple blood test can determine whether your red blood cells are properly sized, helping identify treatable conditions that affect your body's oxygen delivery system.
The Takeaway
Mean Cell Volume serves as a diagnostic window into your red blood cells' health, revealing whether these vital oxygen carriers are optimally sized for their crucial role. However, MCV itself isn't a condition requiring treatment—it's a valuable marker that points to underlying health issues that may need attention. For example, if there is an underlying deficiency such as iron or folate that has caused a change in cell size, with treatment, MCV will typically return to normal ranges over time.
Don't dismiss persistent fatigue or assume nutritional deficiencies are minor inconveniences. These underlying conditions can significantly impact your quality of life and, if left untreated, may lead to more serious complications. A simple blood test can determine whether your red blood cells are properly sized, helping identify treatable conditions that affect your body's oxygen delivery system.
The Takeaway
Mean Cell Volume serves as a diagnostic window into your red blood cells' health, revealing whether these vital oxygen carriers are optimally sized for their crucial role. However, MCV itself isn't a condition requiring treatment—it's a valuable marker that points to underlying health issues that may need attention. For example, if there is an underlying deficiency such as iron or folate that has caused a change in cell size, with treatment, MCV will typically return to normal ranges over time.
Don't dismiss persistent fatigue or assume nutritional deficiencies are minor inconveniences. These underlying conditions can significantly impact your quality of life and, if left untreated, may lead to more serious complications. A simple blood test can determine whether your red blood cells are properly sized, helping identify treatable conditions that affect your body's oxygen delivery system.
References
British Society for Haematology. (2017). Guidelines for the investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia. British Journal of Haematology, 176(5), 750-767.
Stabler, S.P. (2013). Vitamin B12 deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(2), 149-160.
Green, R. (2017). Vitamin B12 deficiency from the perspective of a practicing hematologist. Blood, 129(19), 2603-2611.
Hoffbrand, A.V., & Moss, P.A. (2016). Essential Haematology (7th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
References
British Society for Haematology. (2017). Guidelines for the investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia. British Journal of Haematology, 176(5), 750-767.
Stabler, S.P. (2013). Vitamin B12 deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(2), 149-160.
Green, R. (2017). Vitamin B12 deficiency from the perspective of a practicing hematologist. Blood, 129(19), 2603-2611.
Hoffbrand, A.V., & Moss, P.A. (2016). Essential Haematology (7th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
References
British Society for Haematology. (2017). Guidelines for the investigation and management of iron deficiency anaemia. British Journal of Haematology, 176(5), 750-767.
Stabler, S.P. (2013). Vitamin B12 deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(2), 149-160.
Green, R. (2017). Vitamin B12 deficiency from the perspective of a practicing hematologist. Blood, 129(19), 2603-2611.
Hoffbrand, A.V., & Moss, P.A. (2016). Essential Haematology (7th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
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