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The causes of increase and decrease in the average volume of red blood cells
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021
The clinical significance of MCV is similar to the value of unidirectional changes in the color index and hemoglobin content in the erythrocyte (MCH), since macrocytic anemia is usually hyperchromic (or normochromic), and microcytic - hypochromic. Changes in the MCV can provide useful information about violations of the water-electrolyte balance. An increase in MCV indicates a hypotonic character of water-electrolyte balance disturbances, while a decrease is indicative of a hypertonic nature.
Diseases and conditions accompanied by changes in MCV
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MCV less than 80 fl |
MCV in the range of 80-100 |
MCV more than 100 fl |
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Microcytic anemia:
Anemia that can be accompanied by microcytosis:
Lead poisoning |
Normocytic anemia:
Anemia that can be accompanied by normocytosis:
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Macrocytic and megaloblastic anemia:
Anemia that can be accompanied by macrocytosis:
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