What Causes Abnormal Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)?

Abnormal mean corpuscular volume can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'worrying' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose abnormal mean corpuscular volume, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "abnormal mean corpuscular volume" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):

Metal Toxicity
Megaloblastic Anemia
Sideroblastic Anemia
Parasite Infection
Hepatitis
Cirrhosis Of The Liver
Thalassemia
Manganese Need

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

unusual stool color

offensive-smelling stool

pernicious anemia

numb/burning/tingling extremities

slightly elevated eosinophil count

edema of the ankles/lower legs

slow fingernail growth

high serum iron

history of folic acid deficiency

slow scalp hair growth

highly elevated lymphocyte count

slightly pale stools

... and more than 40 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of abnormal mean corpuscular volume:

Cause	Probability	Status
Manganese Need	90%	Confirm
Megaloblastic Anemia	23%	Unlikely
Sideroblastic Anemia	17%	Unlikely
Metal Toxicity	5%	Ruled out
Cirrhosis Of The Liver	0%	Ruled out
Thalassemia	0%	Ruled out
Hepatitis	0%	Ruled out
Parasite Infection	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate having had recent lab tests, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV). Unit: Femtoliters; fL

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ Below 75
→ 75 to 81
→ 82 to 98 (normal)
→ Over 98

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate microcytic red cells, normocytic red cells or macrocytic red cells, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Alcohol-related Problems

Chronic Inflammation

Chronic Renal Insufficiency

Cirrhosis of the Liver

Folic Acid Deficiency

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Lead poisoning can lead to the formation of small red blood cells.

Hemolytic Anemia

Hepatitis

Chronic hepatitis can cause enlarged red blood cells.

Hypothyroidism

Iron Deficiency Anemia