Low MCV: A Complete Guide on Diagnosis and Management
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Our bodies carry out many processes every day. They need our blood cells to work well to do this. One key indicator of blood cell function is the mean corpuscular volume (MCV). This simple measure gives vital information about our overall health. It’s mainly used to detect and manage anaemia.
In this article, we will learn about MCV. We’ll focus on diagnosing and managing conditions linked to low MCV values. We’ll look at the possible causes of low MCV, symptoms, diagnostic methods, management options, and steps to avoid changes in MCV.
Did you know?
Mean corpuscular volume, or MCV, tells us the average size of a red blood cell. These cells are key for carrying oxygen around the body. So, their size and health are linked to how healthy our blood is.
MCV is a key part of a group of blood tests commonly known as the complete blood count (CBC). Checking MCV helps healthcare providers know the quality and mix of our red blood cells. This information is useful for assessing our current health and to detect possible diseases.
The normal MCV range for adults tends to be between 80 and 100 femtoliters (fl) per red blood cell. Yet, these values can change based on age, gender, and even race. It’s key to know that MCV values may not always fall within this scope. This can happen due to anaemias and other health issues.
Low MCV values mean the red blood cells are smaller than they should be. Several factors and health issues can cause this which are discussed below.
A few factors can lead to low MCV values. Here’s a look at some of them.
Iron deficiency anaemia is often to blame for low MCV. This happens when there isn’t enough iron to make enough haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Thalassaemia is a blood disorder you can inherit. This leads to less production of haemoglobin. As a result, the red blood cells can’t carry as much oxygen. This leads to anaemia and eventually, low MCV levels.
Chronic diseases such as kidney disease, lasting infections, or autoimmune disorders can result in low MCV values. These long-term health issues can affect the body’s ability to make healthy red blood cells. So, this can cause anaemia and low MCV.
People with low MCV values often show signs of anaemia. These are as follows.
Your healthcare provider will look at your health history, other blood test results, and any symptoms you have. It’s crucial to work closely with them to find out why your MCV values are low and to create the right management plan.
To my knowledge, MCV blood tests are not dangerous. The area of your arm where the needle was inserted may hurt, and you could see some faint bruises, but these side effects rapidly disappear in a few hours.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D
Usually, a complete blood count (CBC) is the first step towards diagnosing low MCV values. This wide-ranging blood test looks at many things about your blood health. It gives valuable insights into the functioning of your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
You don’t need to do anything special before a CBC. If you’re scared of needles or injections, let your healthcare professional know. They’ll adjust things to make you feel comfortable.
After drawing blood, the healthcare professional will remove the needle and put a bandage on the spot. If you feel dizzy after your blood is drawn, take a break to sit and rest to stay safe.
If your MCV levels are low, your healthcare provider may check your iron levels with additional blood tests. These test your serum iron, iron-binding capacity, and serum ferritin levels. This helps them assess your body’s iron stores and how well it absorbs iron.
Depending on your MCV levels, health history, and symptoms, your healthcare provider might ask for more tests. This will help them find out why your MCV is low. Some of these tests are as follows.
This test helps identify various kinds of thalassaemia. It looks at the proportions of different types of haemoglobin in your blood.
A blood smear exam takes a tiny sample of your blood and looks at it under a microscope to check the size, shape, and appearance of your red blood cells. This test gives clearer insights into the possible causes of your low MCV.
It’s not always the case that you need medical attention if your MCV readings are outside of the normal range. The test findings may be impacted by medications, dietary changes, physical activity, menstruation, and other factors. Find out the significance of your results by speaking with your healthcare physician.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Management options for low MCV depend on the root cause, and include those discussed below.
Iron deficiency anaemia is often managed with a mix of diet changes and iron supplements. Some possible medical therapy options are as follows.
Oral iron supplements are often given to people with iron deficiency anaemia. These supplements boost their iron intake and help their body make more healthy red blood cells. It is to be taken only when doctors prescribe them to you.
Sometimes, intravenous iron may be given to get iron right into the blood. This makes sure the body absorbs it well, which may lead to quick improvements in MCV levels.
People coping with iron deficiency anaemia may need to change what they eat to have more food that’s rich in iron. Some examples of these foods are Leafy green vegetables (like spinach, kale), Beans, lentils, Red meat, chicken, fish, Bread and cereals fortified with iron
The kind of management needed for thalassaemia depends on how serious the condition is, Some management modalities include:
If thalassaemia is serious, regular blood transfusions may be needed. This keeps red blood cell counts healthy.
People getting regular blood transfusions for thalassaemia may need iron chelation therapy. This lowers their body’s iron level to stop problems like organ damage from too much iron.
In really severe cases of thalassaemia, a bone marrow transplant may be tried. This replaces the person’s sick bone marrow with healthy marrow from a donor.
Sometimes, low MCV comes from a deeper health issue, like anaemia from a chronic disease, or kidney failure. Handling the root cause with the right medical care can often improve MCV levels and boost overall health.
Keeping good health and avoiding health issues that could lead to low MCV is key. Steps to take as described below.
Make sure you have regular check-ups and blood tests with your healthcare provider. They can keep an eye on your MCV levels and react fast if there’s a problem.
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of crucial nutrients, such as iron, folate, and vitamin B12. This may help build healthy red blood cells and keep MCV levels normal.
Keep a close check on your levels of iron, folate, and vitamin B12. Detect potential risks that could lead to low MCV values early on. Then, take action to correct this.
Knowing about MCV values and what they mean for our overall health is key to managing and keeping our blood healthy. By learning about what causes low MCV levels, symptoms, how to diagnose it, and management options, you may be more active in your healthcare decisions. You will be able to better understand your health. As you work with your healthcare provider, you may be able to use effective methods to keep MCV levels healthy and boost your overall well-being.
Low MCV levels can point to various health issues, such as iron deficiency anaemia, thalassaemia, and chronic disease. If you think you have low MCV or if you have symptoms that suggest anaemia, see your healthcare provider. They will give you a full check-up and guide you on what to do next.
The usual MCV range for adults is between 80 and 100 femtoliters (fl) per red blood cell. Any value below or above this may need more tests to find out the cause and what steps to take next.
Low MCV values are often linked with anaemia, but you can have a low MCV without anaemia. Certain health problems, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, can disrupt iron absorption and cause low MCV values even if there’s no anaemia.
The right management for low MCV levels relies on the main cause. For many people with low MCV, consuming more iron from their diet or supplements may improve MCV levels. Finding and managing any underlying health issues that lead to low MCV is also key.
Low MCH values often tie in with anaemia, mainly iron deficiency anaemia. If you have anaemia symptoms or think you have low MCH, see your healthcare provider. They will properly check you and guide you on what management to follow.
Microcytic anaemia can be mild to severe depending on the root cause. If it’s due to a simple iron deficiency, managing the deficiency may often clear up the anaemia and relieve symptoms. In severe cases, such as thalassaemia, managing the condition may require more focused therapy, such as blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants.
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