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High MCV means that your red blood cells are larger than normal. It can be caused by vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, liver disease, hypothyroidism, or other conditions. Learn how to diagnose and treat high MCV.
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- Overview
- What is MCV (mean corpuscular volume)?
- Is a high MCV associated with cancer?
- What else might cause a high MCV?
- How is a high MCV treated?
- Takeaway
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A high MCV means your red blood cells are larger than normal. While a high MCV can be associated with a group of cancers called myelodysplastic syndromes, other causes of high MCV, such as vitamin deficiency or liver disease, are far more common.
A measurement of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is included in a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC is a common blood test that measures the numbers, types, and sizes of different blood cells.
Having a high MCV means your red blood cells are larger than typical red blood cells. While a high MCV has many common causes, it can also be a sign of myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of cancers that affect blood.
In this article, we take a closer look at MCV, its association with cancer, and the health conditions that more commonly cause high MCV.
An MCV test measures the average size of your red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs are the cells that transport oxygen to the organs and tissues of your body.
It’s most likely that you’ll have an MCV test as a part of a CBC that’s done during a routine physical. It may also be used to help diagnose or monitor certain blood disorders.
The ranges for MCV are:
•Normal: The normal range for MCV is 80 to 100 femtoliter (fL). This means your RBCs are a typical size. RBCs that fall into this range are called normocytic.
•Low: A low value for MCV is anything under 80 fL. This means your RBCs are smaller than normal. The term for this is microcytic.
•High: A high MCV value is anything over 100 fL. Having a high MCV means your RBCs are larger than normal. The term for this is macrocytic.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of cancers sometimes associated with high MCV. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 10,000 people in the United States receive a diagnosis of MDS each year, although this number may be higher.
MDS happens when immature blood cells in the bone marrow become abnormal and have trouble developing into mature cells. These abnormal cells die early, meaning your body doesn’t have enough healthy blood cells. This possibly results in lower than normal blood counts on blood work.
Since MDS affects the blood cells of the bone marrow, the RBCs, white blood cells, and platelets can all be affected. RBCs are one cell type that can be involved in MDS. Cells impacted by MDS can have dysplasia, which means they have an abnormal size, shape, or number.
When MDS affects RBCs, it can lead to anemia. In fact, anemia is the most common finding in MDS.
Several other conditions can cause a high MCV. Some of the most common include vitamin B12, folate, and copper deficiencies.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can happen due to:
•a lack of vitamin B12 in your diet
•impaired absorption of vitamin B12, which can occur from:
•certain autoimmune diseases
•inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Sometimes high MCV does not need to be treated. This is typically the case if all of the following are true:
•MCV is less than 115 fL
•you don’t have anemia
•there are no other health concerns related to your MCV or other test results
High MCV that’s concerning or is causing symptoms is typically treated by addressing the condition that’s causing it. For example, supplementation can treat vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies.
If you have cancer and a high MCV, your care team will develop a treatment plan for that cancer. It’s possible your MCV values will return to the normal range with treatment.
MCV measures the size of your RBCs. A high MCV means your RBCs are larger than normal, a condition called macrocytosis. Some people with high MCV have anemia.
A high MCV can be associated with MDS, an uncommon type of cancer. It affects cells in the bone marrow, including RBCs.
However, it’s more likely that high MCV values are due to other causes, such as liver disease, heavy alcohol use, certain medications, or deficiencies in vitamins like B12, copper, and folate.
It’s important to talk with a doctor if you have symptoms of anemia. These include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Your doctor can do tests, including a CBC, to help figure out what may be causing your symptoms.
High MCV means your red blood cells are larger than normal. It can be a sign of anemia, vitamin deficiency, liver disease, or a rare type of cancer called MDS. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of high MCV.
Mar 14, 2023 · Macrocytosis is a condition where red blood cells are larger than normal. It may be a sign of macrocytic anemia, which can result from nutritional deficiencies, medications, alcohol use, liver disease and other factors.
Jan 19, 2023 · MCV (mean corpuscular volume) is a value calculated during a CBC that measures the average size of your red blood cells. High MCV may indicate certain conditions, such as pernicious anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency or liver disease.
Jan 25, 2023 · Macrocytosis is a condition where red blood cells are larger than normal. It may be caused by vitamin B-12 or folate deficiency, liver disease, alcoholism, hypothyroidism, medications or bone marrow problems.
Mar 6, 2023 · MCV measures red blood cell size and volume. A high MCV indicates macrocytic anemia, which may result from vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Learn more about MCV levels, symptoms, and treatments.
Jun 3, 2024 · Low and high MCV values can mean any number of things: It's important to note that a person can have anemia and have a normal MCV. This is called normocytic anemia .
