cbc · MCV
Mean Corpuscular Volume
The average size of your red blood cells. It helps classify anemia: small cells (low MCV) often mean iron deficiency, while large cells (high MCV) can point to B12/folate deficiency or alcohol use.
This page is general wellness education, not medical advice. Your own lab’s reference range and your clinician’s interpretation always take precedence.
Typical reference range
| Group | General range |
|---|---|
| Adults | 80 – 100 fL |
Units: fL. Ranges vary by lab and assay — read yours against the range printed on your own report.
What high Mean Corpuscular Volume can mean
- B12 or folate deficiency
- Alcohol use
- Hypothyroidism
- Some medications
What low Mean Corpuscular Volume can mean
- Iron deficiency
- Thalassemia trait
- Chronic disease