HIGH MCV

[Carrievc]

Hi All,

Hope all is staying safe and well. I had my Blood work the other day and noticed my MCV was high 101. Has anyone else had a high MCV and what does it mean. Sent an e-mail to my Specialist and just waiting for a response. Below are my other labs and all feedback is welcome. Thank you all and stay well.

WB 12.2, RBC 4.29, HGB 13.9, HCT 43.3, MCV 101 (HIGH), MCH, 32.4, MCHC 32.1, NEUTROPHILS 25, LYMPHS 63, MONCYTES 11, EOS, 1, BASOS 0, PLATELETS 164

ABSOLUTES: NEUTROPHILS 3.1, LYMPS 7.7, MONOCYTES 1.3, EOS .1, BASO 0, RDW 13.1

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Here's a link to WebMD- webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/qa/...

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SNIP: The mean corpuscular volume(MCV) is the average size of your red blood cells. If they’re bigger than normal, your MCV score goes up. That could indicate low vitamin B12 or folate levels. If your red blood cells are smaller, you could have a type of anemia. A normal MCV score is between 80 and 95.

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Len

[JigFettler Volunteer]

A raised MCV can due to B12 and or Folate deficiency as lankisterguy says. Macrocytic anaemia.

A low MCV can be due to s low iron level and also cause anaemia. Microscytic anaemia.

It is essential you get your levels checked please check your iron level too. This happened to me and my Haemochromatosis was found. My GP found it, while my Haematologist would not have. As was admitted to me!

Other things can cause a raised MCV, such as some drugs. Alcohol.

Something for your family doctor or GP!

It is important to checkout. Remember, get the iron level too! 😉

Jig

[Carrievc in reply to JigFettler]

Thank you. My B12 and folate were fine. Not much of a drinker. I don’t see my iron listed in my blood results. Might need to have done. Thanks for the quick reply.

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to Carrievc]

The iron thing, its entirely UN-related to CLL.

BUT there are 1000s out there with rising iron levels - either due to inherited or acquired causes. It should be standard random blood test for everyone in their 50s let say.

But for CLL - my haemaochromatosis would not have been found. I am mindful I was in watch and wait for 3 years, copious bloods, scans and follow ups. The excess iron once very raised does huge damage to the bodily tissues. Thing is its quite rare, and if found early - very easy to treat - NO DRUGS needed.

I've been a bit more explicit for the benefit of all.

Best wishes

Jig

PS - it was Through CLL that my Lyme Disease was diagnosed btw - important to question and challenge!

[Carrievc in reply to JigFettler]

Thanks... just curious how is it treated ?

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to Carrievc]

Oh... !

Simple. Venesection! 500g in weight of blood, approx 1 pint, 2 weekly till all the iron is used up by the new blood thats made. I lost 18 pints of blood, at a 2 weekly interval to get to safe level. Then 4 x per year for life. Approx.

Thing was... I'd just finished FCR. My poor marrow had just had 3 yrs of CLL invasion, then carpet bombed for 6 months with FCR. Now had to replace my blood volume twice over. 🤨

Infact I became quite anaemic after 4 pints. It seemed my marrow was not up to the job. I had a worried 4 weeks pause. After that boom. 500g / 1 pint replenished per fortnight.

Heres the irony (pun intended) I lay in the same bed for the venesection as I did for my chemo.

Same nurses.

All good now, except Covid has paused my hospital trips.

Stay safe.

Jig. UK

[gohmei in reply to JigFettler]

How about low PCV? Any clinical significance?

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to gohmei]

PCV?

Please clarify, what is that?

J

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to JigFettler]

Perhaps known better as HCT: Hematocrit, packed cell volume, (PCV) measures the amount of volume red blood cells occupy in the blood. A low hematocrit with low RBC count and low hemoglobin indicates anemia.

[gohmei in reply to JigFettler]

Packed cell volume. My husband's PCV is on the low side

[JigFettler Volunteer in reply to gohmei]

Thank you

portea.com/labs/diagnostic-...

The PCV does relate to anaemia and to other illness processes, drugs and so on. On its own - the value is of limited use - altho a low level would suggest anaemia.

Jig

[gohmei in reply to JigFettler]

Thank you

[Panz]

I might just kill for labs like yours!!! Is that your IgG or are you on IVIG? Those are super labs....I would be interested in what your labs are in a month or so.

Panz 🙏💕☘️

[Carrievc in reply to Panz]

Hi Panz, I'm a newbie...Was just diagnosed last year via Flow Cytometry...Had high WBC and Lymphs. But then had my yearly blood work and noticed the high MCV..My number was always on the higher end of the spectrum...but this time went over. I did send the info to my CLL Specialist...but from reading all the posts,,seems more blood work needs to be done from my GP.