What do the results mean?If your results show that your red blood cells are smaller than normal, it may indicate:Iron-deficiency anemia or other types of anemiaAnemia is a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal amount of red blood cells. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia.Thalassemia, an inherited disease that can cause severe anemiaIf your results show that your red blood cells are larger than normal, it may indicate:A vitamin B12 deficiencyA deficiency in folic acid, another type of B vitaminLiver diseaseHypothyroidismIf your MCV levels are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a medical problem needing treatment. Diet, activity level, medicines, a women's menstrual cycle, and other considerations can affect the results. Talk to your health care provider to learn what your results mean.Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
