Iron and blood status
What is MCV?
the size of your red cells
- Unit
- fL
- Sample
- Whole blood
- Fasting
- No fasting needed
- Turnaround
- 1 day
MCV is the average size of your red cells. When anaemia is present, MCV helps identify the cause - iron deficiency makes cells smaller, B12 or folate deficiency makes them larger.
MCV is the first step in classifying anaemia as microcytic (small cells), normocytic, or macrocytic (large cells). The classification guides which follow-up tests are needed.
What does low MCV mean?
Low MCV (microcytosis) typically reflects iron deficiency, but can also indicate thalassaemia or chronic inflammation.
What does high MCV mean?
High MCV (macrocytosis) appears with B12 or folate deficiency, heavy alcohol use, certain medications, and thyroid disease.
Panels that measure MCV
- Iron Test Base
- Health Check Base
- Performance Test Base
- Kidney Test
- Menopause Test
- Joint Pain Test
- Performance Test Plus
- Vitamin Test Complete
- Health Check Plus
- Iron Test Complete
- Performance Test Complete
- Female Hormone Test Complete
- Stress Test Complete
- Health Check Complete
- Health Check Man
- Health Check Kvinna
Reading
More markers in the same area
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This is general information about the marker, not an assessment of your values and not medical advice. Last updated: August 2026.