The MCV Blood Test
What Other Sites Won't Tell You

An MCV Blood Test, a  a measure of the mean corpuscular volume of individual red blood cells is a test that measures the number and the different types of cells in your blood. Specifically, it is actually a measure of the average VOLUME of Red Blood Cells, also called Erythrocytes. The word MCV stands for Mean Corpuscle Volume- as red blood cells are also sometimes referred to as corpuscles.

The normal mean corpuscular volume is between 80 to 100 fl.(there are ALWAYS slight variations between different labs) and the two possibilities for abnormal levels are:

• Macrocytic Anemia: Or a high MCV, is when the number is BIGGER than it should be, this means that the cell is LARGER than normal. This is a condition called Macrocytic Anemia or Macrocytosis. 
• Microcytic Anemia: Or a low MCV, is when the number is SMALLER than normal, the cell is too SMALL and this is a condition called Microcytic Anemia or Microcytosis.

While the term 'anemia' or 'anaemia' by itself is a well known condition that usually means too few red blood cells, low iron, or too little hemoglobin; microcytic and macrocytic anemia mean something different.

Macrocytic Anemia or Macrocytosis

When the MCV blood test has a HIGH number- even slightly- this means that the blood cells are too large and is called macrocytosis or Macrocytic Anemia. This SHOULD trigger a further workup from your doctor to find out why they are too large, but mild macrocytosis is very often overlooked as not being important. Macrocytic Anemia is, however,  an extremely important finding and could mean a few different things that are very significant to your health.

The first and most obvious thing that your doctor should suspect- especially if you have fatigue or a condition called Hyperhomocystemia- is Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Vitamin B12 Deficiency affects MILLIONS of people and very often goes undiagnosed. When macrocytosis occurs as a Sign of Vitamin B12 Deficiency, you have most likely already had Vitamin B12 deficiency for at LEAST 2 years- the amount of time that it takes to noticeably affect the red blood cells.

This can be caused by poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, Vitamin B12 Malabsorption, gastrointestinal problems, and sometime from drugs, such as the:

• Side Effects of Metformin 
• Nitrous Oxide Side Effects
• Acid Reflux Medication

When the MCV Blood Test 
Shows a Low Number

A low MCV, also called microcytic anemia or Microcytosis, occurs when the MCV blood test number is lower than normal. What this means is that the average VOLUME of the red blood cells is SMALLER than normal. Microcytosis is also a common occurrence on blood tests, especially in menstruating women, but this condition usually gets looked into by doctors. This is because one of the most dangerous reasons that microcytic anemia occurs is a 'sub clinical' slowly bleeding ulcer or other bleeding problem.

Most often these slow bleeding conditions occur in the digestive tract and could be very dangerous if left untreated. But if you have a low MCV blood test and your doctor has determined that you are NOT bleeding then the other possibilities for a low MCV blood test result are:

•  Low intake of Vitamin B6 
•  Heavy metal excess
• Gastrointestinal Malabsorption Problems such as Gluten Sensitivity
• Low Intake of Iron- common in vegetarians and vegans, or those with poor nutrition

If you have microcytosis, you should be getting further testing. And those tests SHOULD include iron and ferritin levels, and potentially even Testing For Gluten Sensitivity. Gluten Sensitivity, also called Celiac Disease in its most severe form, occurs in about every 1 in 100 people- that's pretty frequent, but it is RARELY diagnosed because it doesn't always have the classic Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance that it is 'supposed' to have.

While your doctor is probably not aware of this, the Celiac Disease Research is VERY clear that anyone who has anemia without there being a good reason- should be tested for celiac disease.

Why is Your MCV Blood Test Abnormal?

Whether your MCV is too high OR too low, there should be a 'good reason' for it to be abnormal. You should not allow your doctor to say that it is not significant because it is almost always very significant. If you have ANY chronic health problem, then finding out WHY you have an abnormal MCV test could be the key to uncovering the underlying CAUSE of your health problems.

Whether you need further testing of your Vitamin B12 Level and other vitamin testing, such as your Vitamin D Level, or Testing for Gluten Sensitivity, you should get your doctor to answer the question of WHY your MCV Blood Test is abnormal.

If you are otherwise extremely healthy, a vague answer and another test a few months later is probably sufficient. But for those of you suffering from chronic health problems, use this opportunity to take control of your own health and get a test for the MTHFR Gene, perhaps do a trial of Methylcobalamin Vitamin B12 Supplements, or try out a Gluten Free Diet and see how you feel. Few doctors will ever address issues like an abnormal MCV Blood Test, for most of us, we have to learn to be our own doctors and find solutions that work for us.

Keep reading to find out more about Vitamin B12 Malabsorption.

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Vitamin B12 Malabsorption

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