Just had a CBC, MCV value slightly high

Question

The lab results say normal range is 80-97. Mine was 97.2. I know this is hardly anything and I probably shouldn't be concerned, but I'm wondering what would cause this? I take a multivitamin (including all the different B vitamins) and I don't drink much alcohol. Occasionally I go out and have a few drinks probably like twice a month. It seem like everywhere I look it says vitamin B12 deficiency or alcoholism would be a cause of this. All my other values were within normal limits. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Hello:

I save all my bloodwork.  Since 1991, my MCV has averaged about 95, but was above 98 twice, and above 101 once.  The doctor said that it was nothing to worry about.

To answer your question more thorougly, if you want to investigate this:  

High MCV can be an indication of many things.  Here is a list:

Folate Deficiency

B12 Deficiency

Selenium  Deficiency

Jaundice

Liver Disease

Hypothyroidism

Myeloid Dysplasia

High Reticulocyte Count

Alcoholism

Folate disorders

I'm not a doctor, but my feeling would be that it is nothing to worry about.  If you really want to pursue it, I would be tested for Folate, B12 and Selenium--- which can be done easily with a simple blood test.  Red cell folate is probably better than serum folate, though.

Some people have a biochemical problem with folate and processing folic acid, the form of folate in most multivitamins.  In that case, I would look into supplementing MTHF, methyltetrahydrofolate, the ACTIVE form of folate in the body. (Your body must first convert Folic Acid to MTHF in your body in order to use it.  Some people can't make this conversion.)  This is pretty rare condition, but you can just as easily buy MTHF as a supplement as Folic Acid, so you might give it a try.  Here is one source; I'm sure there are others:

http://www.protherainc.com/archives/DidY...

Good luck!

-Greg