MCV blood test
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) blood test. This blood test measures the size of RBC. Any change in the size of RBCs indicates certain disorders. This test is often conducted along with RDW blood test. With MCV blood test, RBCs can be categorized into normal, small or large sizes. Larger cells are usually indicative of macrocytic anemia. On the other hnad, those with small cells may sufer microcytic anemia. Larger RBCs may indicate liver disease, hypothyroidism, folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency or marrow aplasia. Decreased size of red blood cells is usually noticed in persons suffering from anemia, thalassemia, lead poisoning or chronic renal failure.
RDW blood test
RDW (Red cell distribution width) blood test that calculates any variation in size of RBC. Normally RBCs are a standard size. Since RBCs tend to get smaller and rounder as they aeg, it is not possible for all cells to be exactly the same size. Conditions such as pernicious anemia cause changes in RBC size. Often there is variation in shape too. This can be detected by changes in RDW. Normal RDW range is 11 - 15%. Higher RDW is indicative of disorders such as anemia. RDW blood test is often conducted along with MCV blood test to check the exact cause.
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