Introduction
Platelets are small, colourless cells fragments in your blood1. They play a crucial role in blood clot formation and repairing wounds2. They are created in the bone marrow and then enter the bloodstream3. The mean platelet volume (MPV) blood test can help monitor platelets levels.
In this article, we’ll explore the world of MPV blood tests. We’ll learn what MPV is, how to get ready for the test, analyse the results, and see what happens when the levels are not right. Lastly, we will answer some questions associated with this topic.
Understanding the MPV Blood Test
In this section, we will try to understand MPV and its role in maintaining our health.
What is MPV?
The MPV test is a laboratory test that measures the average size of platelets in your blood. This helps check how well the platelets are working in your body. It also helps in identifying conditions related to bone marrow and bleeding4.
Importance of MPV Test
An MPV test is important as it can:
- Check how healthy your platelets are4.
- Detect disorders linked with abnormal platelet size or count4.
- Helps monitor if treatment for blood-related disorders is working5.
Did you know?
- MPV tests are commonly used to evaluate platelet function and production. source: medlineplus.gov
- High MPV (mean platelet volume) may indicate platelet dysfunction or bone marrow disorders. source: medlineplus.gov
- MPV can be influenced by factors such as age, sex, smoking, and hormonal changes. source: PMC
- MPV levels may decrease during acute exacerbation of COPD. source: PMC
- An MPV value of less than 8.5 femtolitres (fl) may strongly suggest possible systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as studies show it is very accurate (sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 100%) in predicting SLE. source: PMC
MPV Blood Test Process
The procedure involved in conducting the MPV test is quite simple, as stated below.
How to Prepare for an MPV Test?
For an MPV blood test, you don’t need to prepare anything special. Have a discussion with your doctor in case they advise any other test along with MPV that might require any special preparation like fasting4. Also, you need to disclose your current health conditions, habits, and any medications that you may be currently on, as they may influence the results of the test6.
What to Expect During an MPV Test?
- Testing procedure: The MPV blood test is easy and quick. A lab technician takes blood from a vein in your arm with a needle, while maintaining hygiene. They save the sample in a test tube. The entire process takes just a few minutes with maybe slight discomfort or bruising at the site of needle puncture4. After drawing blood, the technician will remove the needle and apply a bandage on your arm.
- Interpreting test results: After the test, the blood sample is sent to a laboratory where your MPV is checked. Once the laboratory report is ready, it will be shared with you. It’s important to discuss the results with your healthcare provider to give you a clear picture of your overall health.
Causes and Implications of Abnormal MPV Results
Your MPV blood test results can show high or low MPV. The causes and possible issues due to abnormal MPV are discussed below.
1. Causes of High MPV
If your MPV result shows higher than the normal range (more than 12 fl), it might be due to the following.
- Cancer: Cancer may cause a rise in MPV7. But don’t worry, as high MPV doesn’t always mean you have cancer. If there is a history of cancer in your family or other risk factors, further testing may be suggested by your doctor.
- Other Potential Causes: Apart from cancer, several other factors, such as the following, can also increase MPV.
- Loss of blood due to causes such as major surgery
- Hyperthyroidism8
- Heart disease
- Diabetes4
- Lack of Vitamin D9
- High blood pressure10
- Stroke
- Intestinal disorders
- Chronic renal failure
- Respiratory disorders
- Rheumatoid disease6
- Haemolytic anemia
- Low platelet count4
2. Causes of Low MPV
A low MPV indicates that your platelets are mostly old or small in size. This is because the production of new platelets in your bone marrow has slowed down4. Some common causes of low MPV are as follows.
- Bone marrow failure11
- Lupus6
- Chemotherapy12
- Iron-deficiency anemia13
- HIV/AIDS14
- Tuberculosis6
- Aplastic anaemia
- Infections
- Autoimmune disorders
- Genetic conditions
- Medication’s side effects
- Alcohol use disorder4
Implications of High and Low MPV Results
Associated Risks and Complications
High MPV can occur when the body produces or destroys platelets more than usual15. This may increase the risk of blood clots16. Conversely, a low MPV can be linked to a higher chance of bleeding due to fewer platelets being produced17.
Relation to Certain Medical Conditions
However, MPV levels alone cannot confirm a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will consider the results of your other tests results and your health history, to find the cause of the abnormal MPV levels.
Certain studies19 indicate that MPV may be higher in COVID-19-positive people than in COVID-19-negative people. However, more research is needed to completely understand the association between the results of an MPV blood test and the severity of COVID-19 infection.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D
Thrombocytopenia and MPV
Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count4.
What is Thrombocytopenia?
Thrombocytopenia occurs when your blood has fewer platelets than normal. Since platelets help in clotting, a low count of platelets can cause excess bleeding17.
How is Thrombocytopenia diagnosed?
To find out if you have thrombocytopenia, doctors conduct a complete blood count (CBC) test with clotting test, platelet count, and MPV. If needed, a bone marrow biopsy or aspiration (taking a small sample from your bone marrow) may also be included18.
Management options for Thrombocytopenia
The management for thrombocytopenia depends on how severe it is and its causes. If needed, doctors may advise platelet transfusion to stop or avoid the bleeding18.
- Medications: Doctors may give medicines to slow down the immune system, if thrombocytopenia is caused by destruction of platelets due to autoantibodies produced by the immune system. Some common medicines used include corticosteroids or immunoglobulins. On the other hand, if thrombocytopenia is caused by medications, that medicine may need to be stopped in order to increase the production of platelets2.
- Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Individuals with thrombocytopenia should take care to avoid activities that may cause injuries or bleeding. They should also be cautious with medicines like blood thinners or NSAIDs that can make bleeding worse, as well as certain herbal teas or beverages containing quinine, which can further reduce platelet levels2.
Research19 has indicated that stress, both emotional and physical, might have an impact on platelet count. Heavy exercise for an extended period of time can raise MPV. Higher-than-normal MPV is possible in people with panic disorders.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Preparing for an Appointment with a Healthcare Provider
What to Expect During a Consultation?
At your appointment, your healthcare provider will go over your past health, current symptoms, and test results. They may order more testing if needed. You should be ready to discuss any concerns, answer questions about your lifestyle, medicines you are currently taking, and your family medical history.
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider?
It’s a good plan to prepare a list of questions for your healthcare provider. These could include the following.
- Why is my MPV level not normal?
- Do I have to make any lifestyle changes?
- Should I go for more tests or future appointments?
- Are there any risks or issues related to my MPV levels?
- Can you tell me where to find more information about MPV and linked health conditions?
Conclusion
Getting to know your MPV blood test results is key for maintaining health. This article gives a complete and easy-to-understand guide to help you understand the MPV test, its importance, and what it means when results are not normal.
While a low or high MPV can indicate health issues, it’s always important to consult with a healthcare expert to help put the results in context and order more tests if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does high MPV level indicate? If your MPV is high, it suggests that your platelets are larger than normal. This might be due to many reasons such as cancer, recovering from injuries, heart disease, and more. Your healthcare provider will consider all factors to find out the cause of high MPV level.
What does low MPV on a blood test indicate? A low MPV indicates that most of your platelets are old and the production of new platelets in your bone marrow has reduced. The reason for this could be bone marrow failure, lupus, chemotherapy, hypothyroidism, iron-deficiency anaemia, or HIV/AIDS among others.
What is a normal MPV level for a woman? For women, usual MPV levels are between 8-12 fl. However, you should always consult a healthcare expert to correctly understand your MPV result and what it means for your health.
What cancers cause low MPV? Some cancers that affect the bone marrow, such as leukaemia or lymphoma, might cause low MPV. They disrupt the normal process of producing platelets. Remember, only measuring MPV cannot diagnose the cancer. An in-depth examination by a healthcare expert is needed.
Is a 9.3 result on an MPV blood test low? An MPV of 9.3 is generally within the normal range. However, the interpretation of blood test results can vary depending on the reference range provided by the laboratory and the individual’s medical history. It’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation of blood test results.
References
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- Akkuş E, Fidan Ç, Demirci G, Kuştaş AA, Yüksel M. Mean platelet volume and response to the first line therapy in newly diagnosed adult immune thrombocytopenia patients: a retrospective study. Turk J Med Sci. 2020 Jun 23;50(4):798-803. doi: 10.3906/sag-1912-242.Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7379428/
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- Plantureux L, Mège D, Crescence L, Dignat-George F, Dubois C, Panicot-Dubois L. Impacts of Cancer on Platelet Production, Activation and Education and Mechanisms of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis. Cancers (Basel). 2018 Nov 14;10(11):441. doi: 10.3390/cancers10110441. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6266827/
- Ford HC, Toomath RJ, Carter JM, Delahunt JW, Fagerstrom JN. Mean platelet volume is increased in hyperthyroidism. Am J Hematol. 1988 Mar;27(3):190-3. doi: 10.1002/ajh.2830270308.Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3348203/
- Cumhur Cure M, Cure E, Yuce S, Yazici T, Karakoyun I, Efe H. Mean platelet volume and vitamin D level. Ann Lab Med. 2014 Mar;34(2):98-103. doi: 10.3343/alm.2014.34.2.98. Epub 2014 Feb 13. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3948840/
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- Xu RL, Zheng ZJ, Ma YJ, Hu YP, Zhuang SH. Platelet volume indices have low diagnostic efficiency for predicting bone marrow failure in thrombocytopenic patients. Exp Ther Med. 2013 Jan;5(1):209-214. doi: 10.3892/etm.2012.799. Epub 2012 Nov 5.Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3524172/
- Ferroni P, Guadagni F, Riondino S, Portarena I, Mariotti S, La Farina F, Davì G, Roselli M. Evaluation of mean platelet volume as a predictive marker for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism during chemotherapy. Haematologica. 2014 Oct;99(10):1638-44. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2014.109470. Epub 2014 Aug 1. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4181262/
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- Colkesen, Yucel and Muderrisoglu, Haldun. “The role of mean platelet volume in predicting thrombotic events” Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, vol. 50, no. 4, 2012, pp. 631-634. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm.2011.806. https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/cclm.2011.806/html
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- Walle M, Arkew M, Asmerom H, Tesfaye A, Getu F. The diagnostic accuracy of mean platelet volume in differentiating immune thrombocytopenic purpura from hypo-productive thrombocytopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2023 Nov 30;18(11):e0295011. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295011. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10688894/
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