Quote:
Originally Posted by Linda Viola  Blood test what does MCV indicated
69.6 is that low for MCV iron Deficiency
I take iron supplements is it stll low |
MCV refers to the "mean corpuscular volume" and represents the average size of each individual red blood cell in the body. In anemia (i.e. low hemoglobin) one can divide it in to three categories: that with low MCV, normal MCV and high MCV. Low MCV anemias are usually ones where there is a problem with hemoglobin synthesis overall and this has a number of different reasons including iron deficiency, thalassemia, hyperthyroidism etc. Far and away th most common cause of a low MCV anemia is iron deficiency. A normal MCV is between 79-97 (or so) so obviously yours is low. What is your hemoglobin? IF you have iron deficiency, it is imperative to figure out WHY you have it. It's one thing to take iron, but the cause must be sought out. Usually iron deficiency in adults comes from chronic slow bleeding from the GI tract or from heavy periods in young females. Undiagnosed celiac disease is the next most common cause.
If the cause is sought out and treated, and the iron stores are repleted and the MCV is STILL low, other problems like thalassemia need to be investigated.
Linear Mode
