MCV
Medical abbreviation · Laboratory Test
| Stands for | Mean corpuscular volume |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
MCV stands for Mean corpuscular volume, a laboratory test abbreviation.
Average size of red blood cells, reported in femtoliters with a typical range of about 80 to 100 fL. It sorts anemia into microcytic (iron deficiency, thalassemia), normocytic (blood loss, chronic disease, kidney disease) and macrocytic (vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, alcohol, liver disease, certain drugs) types.
Example: MCV 112 in a patient on methotrexate; checking B12 and folate.
Usage notes
One femtoliter is one quadrillionth of a liter. MCV is the most useful red cell index for narrowing the cause of anemia, but a mixed deficiency such as iron plus B12 can produce a misleadingly normal value, which is where the RDW and a smear help. Reticulocytes are larger than mature cells, so brisk marrow recovery nudges the MCV upward.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- LE – Leukocyte esterase
- LFT – Liver function tests
- LIS – Laboratory information system
- Lytes – Electrolytes
- MCH – Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
- MCHC – Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
- Mg – Magnesium
- MPV – Mean platelet volume
- Na – Sodium
- NAAT – Nucleic acid amplification test
- NH3 – Ammonia
- non-HDL-C – Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.