high mcv on blood work

[JesusMercy60]

Hello all,

so I got my blood work cbc back on line today and my MCV is at 101 higher than before ,platelets are at 227 closer to the bottom range and my hemoglobin is 14.5 range and RDW is at the bottom line of range 11.7. I visit my Dr. on the 2nd next week. my liver enzymes are high as well alt and ast, HMMMM, My MCH is at the maximum of the range and I get my intrinsic factor back hopefully tomorrow or Monday. I was looking it up on line the MCV and it could possible mean anemia but I'm not sure what would rule that out everything else on cbc is within range, and I read that it will be high when deficient in b12. I am injecting EOD and take oral sublingual as well with b12. and I take all the cofactors. so maybe it's just a matter of healing and time. well any comments or thoughts are appreciated.

thank you,

Rosina

[Technoid]

I'm not clinically trained but my understanding is that macrocytic anemia usually presents as an MCV between 110 and 115fL. FlipperTD may have some insight. I wouldn't read too much into an MCV a single point over the normal range. Its not like at 100 you are good but at 101, megaloblastic anemia suddenly appears.

A recent statistical adage springs to mind:

"Thou shalt not dichotomize a continuous variable"

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[JesusMercy60 in reply to Technoid]

Thank you again Technoid,

I sure do appreciate your input. I'm at ease now. I started to worry then I thought well lets see the comments first.

[FlipperTD]

Here we go, Rosina... [Scientist, not medic, but I have performed millions [literally] of MCVs in a very long career.] Technoid puts it beautifully. Firstly, you're NOT anaemic, as your Hb is in an ideal position. There's not much going on if your RDW is where it is; your red cell population is homogeneous. However, your MCV is a little on the high side from this single analysis. Has it gone up much, and in how long a time? Your MCH is simply a reflection on your red cells being a bit larger than usual. It's a calculated value [Hb/RBC = MCH].

Is your folate intake and level OK?

B12 and folate are the most likely suspects in the 'raised MCV' tale, but they're not the only things. A raised MCV can be seen in thyroid problems. Likewise, some liver issues can cause a raised MCV. Some folks can see a raised MCV if they drink alcoholic beverages, but most don't.

Was your CBC done in the same laboratory as usual, or did it go somewhere else?

Have they recently changed their analytical equipment?

Most importantly, don't panic, don't fret about it as your Hb is 100% normal. Your platelet count is fine too.

Good luck, stay healthy, and stay in touch.

[JesusMercy60 in reply to FlipperTD]

Good morning Flipper TD,

thank you and Technoid, so I don't drink any alcohol and my alt and ast went up just over the maximum, maybe from all the suppliments, and my b12 and folate did not get tested yet but I eat folate daily and take the suppliments all cofactors as well. MCV since I've been treating the b12 has always been on the high borderline. my folate has never tested low so for now I have peace of mind that I'm not anemic that is great new's thank you! I'll just keep pushing through this with all the suppliments no matter how unpleasant these symptoms get, I keep getting that put on my spirit in my prayers and form everyone on this forum. I'm so blessed to be able to be in recovery now.. for at this moment it's easy for me to say but I know at times it is not so easy but I'll keep on until hopefully soon my symptoms will be all gone. thank you all again.

Rosina

[FlipperTD in reply to JesusMercy60]

Dear Rosina

Thank you for your response. Just remember [or accept!] that the 'Normal Ranges' are 95% confidence limits, which means that 5% of the normal population can be outside the range but still effectively normal. You just run that way. If your Hb remains in that nice zone around 14.5g/100 ml, there's not much to worry about.

Switching into facetious mode, thinking if you don't drink alcohol I could learn from you. I'm not that strong-willed!

Be well, and God Bless You. take it easy.