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Hematology

MCV in men: what a low or high level says and when further tests follow

To carry oxygen through the body, red blood cells use haemoglobin, and according to Thuisarts the body needs iron, among other things, to make it. According to a US review article (American Family Physician, 2010), in adults anaemia from iron deficiency is presumed to come from blood loss. The average size of the red blood cells is called the MCV, and according to the NVKC that size says something about the cause of anaemia.

According to the NVKC, an MCV below the limit can point to anaemia from iron deficiency, and an MCV above it to anaemia from too little vitamin B12 or folate. Only a blood test measures the size of the red blood cells.

At Unilabs the normal MCV range for men older than 15 runs from 80 to 100 femtolitres (fl).

Doctor's Assessment Included

MCV is the average size of the red blood cells. According to the NVKC, a high MCV can point to a shortage of vitamin B12 or folate, a low MCV to iron deficiency.

  • Star-SHL, Unilabs, Certe and Diagnostiek voor U all four use an MCV of 80 to 100 fl for adults.
  • A US review article (American Family Physician, 2009) names alcoholism, a shortage of vitamin B12 or folate and medicines as the most common causes of an MCV above 100 fl.
  • According to a US review article (American Family Physician, 2010), anaemia from iron deficiency and thalassaemia trait are the most common causes of an MCV below 80 fl in adults.

Reference Ranges

Male
fl
Low 80 Normal 100 High

Source: NVKC — Nederlandse Vereniging voor Klinische Chemie en Laboratoriumgeneeskunde Reference population: Healthy adults (NVKC)

Reference ranges may vary between laboratories. When you order a test, a BIG-registered doctor assesses your personal results in context. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.

Check your own value

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): what Dutch laboratories use

Reference ranges by group, in fl
Star-shl · Everyone · 19 years and older 80–100 fl
80 100
Unilabs · Male · 15 years and older 80–100 fl
80 100
Certe · Male · 18 years and older 80–100 fL
80 100
Diagnostiek voor U · Male · 16 years and older 80–100 fL
80 100
75 105 fl

Source: Star-shl

Source: Unilabs

Source: Certe

Source: Diagnostiek voor U

Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): what this test measures

An MCV result gives the average size of a red blood cell in femtolitres (fl). Below 80 fl a US review article (American Family Physician, 2010) speaks of microcytosis in adults, red blood cells that are too small, and above 100 fl a review in the same journal (2009) speaks of macrocytosis, red blood cells that are too large.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): why this value matters

According to a US review article (American Family Physician, 2010), a low MCV from anaemia with iron deficiency in adult men is a reason to examine the stomach and bowel further for hidden blood loss, including an examination for cancer of the stomach or bowel. According to the same article, in adults with anaemia from iron deficiency the gastrointestinal tract is the most common source of bleeding.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): when is testing worthwhile?

According to the NVKC, the MCV is usually measured as part of the complete blood count, a general test for detecting various conditions. According to the NVKC, a doctor can also request the MCV specifically to find the cause of anaemia.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

In men and in women who do not menstruate, anaemia from iron deficiency is the most common cause of a low MCV according to a US review article (American Family Physician, 2010), followed by anaemia of chronic disease, unexplained anaemia and thalassaemia trait, an abnormality of the haemoglobin protein according to the NVKC.

High Levels

According to a US review article (American Family Physician, 2009), a high MCV can come from alcoholism, a shortage of vitamin B12 or folate or medicines, the three most common causes the article names. According to that article, alcohol enlarges the red blood cells more often through a toxic effect than through a shortage of folate, and with chronic alcohol use the MCV generally stays below 110 fl.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): causes of a low or high value

What lowers the value

  • Iron deficiency

    A low MCV can point to anaemia from iron deficiency.

  • Thalassaemia

    In thalassaemia, an abnormality of the haemoglobin protein in the red blood cells, the MCV is too low.

  • Anaemia of chronic disease

    A US review article names anaemia of chronic disease as another cause of red blood cells that are too small.

What raises the value

  • Vitamin B12 or folate shortage

    A high MCV can point to anaemia from a shortage of vitamin B12 or folate.

  • Alcoholism

    A US review article names alcoholism as one of the most common causes of an MCV above 100 fl; with chronic alcohol use the MCV generally stays below 110 fl.

  • Medicines

    According to a US review article, medicines including anti-epileptic drugs, methotrexate and metformin may enlarge the red blood cells.

  • Underactive thyroid or liver disease

    According to a US review article, an underactive thyroid and liver disease are associated with a less marked rise in the MCV.

  • Blood loss or breakdown of red blood cells

    After blood loss or breakdown of red blood cells the MCV can rise, because the bone marrow releases young red blood cells that are slightly larger than average.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): lifestyle and this value

Take an abnormal MCV to your GP. According to a US review article (American Family Physician, 2009), stopping alcohol quickly corrects an MCV raised by alcohol.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): frequently asked questions

Can alcohol raise the MCV?

Yes, according to a US review article (American Family Physician, 2009) alcoholism is one of the most common causes of an MCV above 100 fl. According to that article, in some populations alcoholism is the cause in as many as 80 percent of patients with a high MCV.

MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): sources

  1. Nederlandse Vereniging voor Klinische Chemie en Laboratoriumgeneeskunde. MCV. "Bij gezonde volwassenen ligt de MCV-waarde ongeveer tussen 80 en 100 femtoliter." Tevens: "Deze referentiewaarden kunnen per laboratorium iets variëren." De bron maakt geen onderscheid tussen mannen en vrouwen. Geraadpleegd 13 augustus 2026. (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl
  2. Star-shl, Labbepalingen (referentiewaarden per bepaling), star-shl.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) star-shl.nl
  3. Unilabs, Bepalingenklapper (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenklapper.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenklapper.nl
  4. Certe, Bepalingenwijzer (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl
  5. Diagnostiek voor U, eLabgids (Referentiewaarden DvU), diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu
  6. NVKC, Alles over testen: MCV, allesovertesten.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-15 (retrieved 2026) allesovertesten.nl
  7. Van Vranken M. Evaluation of Microcytosis. Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(9):1117-1122 (retrieved 2026) aafp.org
  8. Kaferle J, Strzoda CE. Evaluation of Macrocytosis. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(3):203-208 (retrieved 2026) aafp.org

Tests with related values

These panels measure values from the same category as this marker.

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MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume)

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