Raised MCV?

[divegirl]

Hi , I have just been asked to have repeat blood tests by my doctor as I have raised MCV.
Could some one tell me what this indicates as I don't want to Google it and scare myself....lol

Lisa x

[Old_Geezer]

Ah I see I'm too late, well here's a post anyway, from wikipedia. Doesn't seem too scarey

The mean corpuscular volume, or "mean cell volume" (MCV), is a measure of the average red blood cell volume that is reported as part of a standard complete blood count.

[divegirl]

Ahhh....Many thanks.

Lisa x

[Sqad]

You have been told what it is.......but not of it's significance.

A raised MCV means something totally different in a non anaemic person than to an anaemic person.

So...............are you anaemic?

[Sqad]

Simple terms.

MCV low......little red cells.
MCV raised.......big red cells
MCV ..normal.......normal red cells.

[divegirl]

Hi Sqad.....not as far as I know! My doctor decided to give me a bit of a MOT as I'm being tested for arthritis, this seems to have popped up as well, I don't get the results until Monday but received a letter this morning advising that I need to re-rest for this. It also says on the form
(42T) Serum vitamin B12
(42U4) Red blood cell folate

Lisa x

[Sqad]

OK if you are not anaemic, then that MCV is likely to be a rogue result.......in other words, nothing to worry about.

You Dr had 2 choices:
1) To repeat the MCV in 6 months time
2) To assume that you are anaemic and test for Pernicious Anaemia (B12) or megaloblastic anaemia ( folate deficiency)

He has chosen the latter.

I will be very surprised if any of the additional blood results come back other than perfectly normal.

Keep us informed.

[divegirl]

Thanks Sqad....will do.

Lisa x