Harvard Health Publishing and 3 experts answer: What happens if MCV count is low?

Answered by Dr. Howard E. LeWine

M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA

MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume of red blood cells. A low MCV means the average size of all the person’s red blood cells is smaller than normal. The most common reasons for a low MCV are iron deficiency and an inherited trait called thalassemia minor. Iron deficiency is easily treated with supplements, and thalassemia minor does not require treatment.

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Answered by Dr. Wesley D Palmer

Doctor of Medicine · 23 years of experience · USA

When the MCV is low, someone has red blood cells which are smaller than normal. This decreased size is typically due to a decrease in hemoglobin. Further laboratory testing is needed to determine why the hemoglobin may be low. Some common causes are iron deficiency, chronic disease, and inherited conditions called thalassemia.

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Answered by Dr. Gustavo Campos

Doctor of Medicine · 9 years of experience · Brazil

Microcytic anemia is often indicated by a low mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The main causes of this illness are iron deficiency and thalassemia.

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Answered by Dr. Marcella Abunahman Pereira

Specialization in Clinical Cardiology · 12 years of experience · Brazil

Mean corpuscular volume, or MCV, is a measurement of red blood cell size. If your MCV is low it means that your red blood cells are too small, called microcytosis. It suggests iron deficiency or chronic disease or hemoglobin disorder. The management of microcytosis consists of finding and treating the underlying cause.

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