MCV
MCV is the average size (volume) of a red blood cell. It is a key clue to the CAUSE of anemia: small cells (low MCV) point to a different cause than large ones (high MCV).
| Rating | Range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Talk to a doctor | below 82 fL | |
| Good | 82 – 98 fL | Within the reference range. |
| Talk to a doctor | 98 fL and above |
Why it matters
Helps characterize the type of anemia (small = iron, large = B12/folate).
If it’s low
Low MCV (small blood cells) most often means iron deficiency; it can also be hereditary (thalassemia) or chronic disease.
If it’s high
High MCV (large blood cells) often means B12 or folate deficiency, excessive alcohol, or liver/thyroid disease.
What to do
MCV guides the next step: low → check iron/ferritin; high → check B12/folate, alcohol. Always in the context of hemoglobin.
Read together with
Hemoglobin · Ferritin · Vitamin B12 · Folate
Part of the guide: Complete blood count (CBC) →
Articles about this marker
- Biological age: what it is and how to slow it downSupplements & longevity
- Complete blood count (CBC): what the basic blood count meansMarker explained
- High or low platelet count: what it means and when to worryComplete blood count (CBC)
- High RDW: what red cell distribution width means on your blood testComplete blood count (CBC)
- MCV, MCH and MCHC: what high and low red cell indices meanComplete blood count (CBC)
- Vitamin B12 and folate: what they mean and how to raise themMarker explained
This content is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your results.
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