What if MCH is low in CBC test?
A low MCH value typically indicates the presence of iron deficiency anemia. Iron is important for the production of hemoglobin. Your body absorbs a small amount of iron that you eat in order to produce hemoglobin.
What causes low MCH levels in blood?
Low MCH levels usually occur as a result of iron deficiency that has led to anemia. Doctors may recommend that individuals add more iron and vitamin B6 to their diet. Eating vitamin C and fiber, along with foods that contain iron, may also help increase the MCH levels.
Why would CBC levels be low?
There are many reasons your levels may fall outside the normal range. For instance: Abnormal red blood cell, hemoglobin, or hematocrit levels may indicate anemia, iron deficiency, or heart disease. Low white cell count may indicate an autoimmune disorder, bone marrow disorder, or cancer.
What does a low MCV mean?
A low MCV indicates that the red blood cells are small, or microcytic. Possible causes include:8 Iron deficiency. Lead poisoning. Thalassemia (the thalassemias are genetic disorders characterized by abnormal hemoglobin)
What is MCV on blood test?
MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume. There are three main types of corpuscles (blood cells) in your blood–red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. An MCV blood test measures the average size of your red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes.
How long does it take for MCV to return to normal?
MCV takes 6 to 8 weeks of heavy drinking—we which we define as consuming ≥40 grams of alcohol/ day5—to become elevated and returns to normal within 3 months of abstinence.
What if MCV and MCH are low?
Common conditions resulting in a hypochromic microcytic anemia (low MCV and MCH) include thalassemia and iron deficiency; and, less commonly, anemias associated with chronic inflammatory conditions, genetic determinants for Hb C, congenital defects in copper metabolism, some forms of sideroblastic anemia, and other …
What causes low MCV count?
Low MCV count meanwhile is called microcytic anemia and is usually caused by iron deficiency secondary to poor nutrition, blood loss in the gastro-intestinal region, blood loss during menstruation, and or some chronic disease. If there is iron deficiency, the MCV could be as low as 60 femtoliters.
What causes elevated MCV?
The MCV becomes elevated if there is a problem with red blood cells dividing when they are being produced in the bone marrow. Common causes of elevated MCV include alcohol use, low levels of Vitamin B12 or folate.
What does a low MCV indicate?
Low levels of MCV are an indication that your red blood cells are smaller in volume and are therefore not able to hold a sufficient quantity of hemoglobin in them. Having a low MCV level means that you might be a patient of thalassemia or have been suffering from a disorder known as iron deficiency anemia.
Why your MCV is too high?
The most common cause of high MCV results is Macrocytic Anemia, also called Macrocytosis. This means that your blood cells are too large. If your results are high your doctor will likely want to run further tests. But note that elevated levels are often a benign or very low risk.