Included with every panel
Baseline labs come free with any panel you build.
Blood & iron
MCV test
Mean corpuscular volume. The average size of your red blood cells; can be an early clue to whether an anemia is from iron deficiency, B12/folate deficiency, or another cause. Included with every panel.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
MCV is the average size of your red blood cells. Whether they’re small, normal or large is one of the first clues to what may be behind anemia, a shortage of healthy red blood cells.
Why it matters for women
Small red cells can point to low iron, common with heavy periods and pregnancy, or to thalassemia trait, an inherited blood difference worth knowing about before pregnancy. Large red cells can point to low vitamin B12 or folate, or to an underactive thyroid, which is more common in women.
You might check it if…
- your periods are heavy or last a long time
- you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy
- you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet
- a doctor mentioned a thyroid problem or low vitamin B12
What your result may mean
High MCV: what it may mean
High MCV (macrocytosis) may mean your red blood cells are larger than average. It may point to low vitamin B12 or folate, alcohol use, an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or liver disease. Some medicines, including certain chemotherapy drugs, can also raise MCV, and so can a burst of young red cells after blood loss. Pregnancy can increase how much folate your body needs, and an underactive thyroid is more common in women, so both can be worth considering. Numb or tingling hands and feet, a sore tongue or tiredness can appear with low B12, though a high MCV may also turn up with no symptoms.
Low MCV: what it may mean
Low MCV (microcytosis) may mean your red blood cells are smaller than average, and it may point to iron deficiency or thalassemia, an inherited blood difference. Heavy periods and pregnancy can lower iron, and thalassemia trait can be worth knowing about before pregnancy. Long-term illness can also shrink red cells, and lead exposure can do so in rare cases. Low iron can bring tiredness, brittle nails, restless legs or cravings for ice, but some people may have no symptoms. A clinician may use ferritin and a hemoglobin test to tell these reasons apart.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.