The average erythrocyte volume MCV is increased in women and men. Causes

Red blood cells are red blood cells, synthesized in the body by the bone marrow. They are entrusted with one of the main functions - to perform a transport function. They help carry oxygen from the respiratory system throughout the body, saturating every organ and tissue. And it is these cells that collect carbon dioxide and release it back into the lungs.

In addition to the respiratory function, they still take an active part in metabolic processes, normalize the acidity of the blood. To make a diagnosis, special tests are prescribed to help determine the number of red blood cells in the blood, including determining the average volume of MCV blood cells. The indicator can be increased or decreased and the reasons for such changes are mass.

Characteristics and properties

MCV in a blood test is one of the important indices of red blood cells. It displays the average volume of red blood cells. You can calculate the indicator by dividing the hematocrit indicator by the received number of erythrocytes. The result is expressed in cubic microns or femtoliters. There is a certain rate, but in some cases it can be increased.

You can also get this indicator when taking a blood test by multiplying the hematocrit by 10, and then the resulting number is divided by the erythrocytes contained in 1 cubic meter. mm of blood.

It is very important to remember that in some cases MCV can give unreliable results. So, for example, if a person has sickle cell anemia, then a large number of abnormal or deformed red blood cells move in the body through the circulatory system. For this reason, the received data will be false.

Today, thanks to innovations, specialists are able to make the most accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment. So, for example, due to the determination of the average level of red blood cells in the blood, it allows you to quickly diagnose various types of anemia, as well as track the effectiveness of therapy in eliminating them.

The table is ok

The average erythrocyte volume MCV may be increased in case of poisoning. The rate may vary depending on the age and gender of the patient. In the table you can find out the rate for children, women and men.

Age and gender of the patient	Average erythrocyte volume MCV, fl
Infants from the first birthday until the 14th day	88-140
From 2 weeks to 1 month	91-112
From 1 month to 2 months	84-106
From 2 to 4 months	76-97
From 4 to 6 months	68-85
From 6 to 9 months	70-85
From 9 to 12 months	71-84
From 1 year to 5 years	73-85
From 5 to 10 years old	75-87
From 10 to 12 years old	76-90
Women	Men
From 12 to 15 years old	73-95	77-94
From 15 to 18 years old	78-98	79-95
From 18 to 45 years old	81-100	80-99
From 45 to 65 years old	81-101	81-101
From 65 years old	81-102	83-103

Increase symptoms

The average erythrocyte volume MCV can be increased by smoking.

It is difficult to determine the indicator on your own, so it is worth contacting a specialist for advice if such symptoms appear:

• fast fatiguability;
• unusual bleeding or bruising;
• limbs are cold even in hot weather;
• wet feet and palms;
• insomnia;
• shortness of breath;
• the skin is pale.

Reasons for the increase

The average erythrocyte volume MCV is increased due to the following reasons:

• excessive use of drugs;
• food poisoning;
• malfunctions of the thyroid gland;
• lack of iodine or iron in the body;
• malfunctioning of the liver;
• oncology, actively developing in the bone marrow;
• long-term intake of alcoholic beverages;
• dysfunction of the pancreas.

The following factors can also provoke a sharp increase in MCV in the human body:

• long-term use of contraceptives, which provoke disruptions in the work of hormonal levels;
• smoking abuse;
• work in hazardous production with constant contact with toxic substances;
• taking medications that provoke an increase in MCV.

Indications for research

MCV is not the only test that may be required to make a more accurate diagnosis. It can be prescribed by a general practitioner who, having collected an anamnesis, can prescribe several studies to find out what is the reason for the appearance of certain symptoms that the patient is complaining about.

The MCV indicator provides complete information only in two cases:

• if the patient is suspected to have any type of anemia;
• if you want to identify failures in the water-salt balance.

Patients are referred to donate blood for MCV if there is a suspicion that there is no intestinal infection, RVI or ARI. There are other reasons, which are considered equally serious, to send a person to a laboratory for an MCV test.

These include:

• unstable work of the hormonal system;
• disruptions in metabolic processes;
• overweight;
• diabetes or a spike in blood sugar;
• a sharp and for no apparent reason decrease in the work of immunity.

The MCV test also helps to identify other abnormalities occurring in the body:

1. Anemia of the normochromic type. It can be found in people with pathologies that have affected the bone marrow, in rare cases it manifests itself in people with chronic ailments.
2. Anemia of the macrocytic type. But this type of anemia is characterized by a sharp and significant increase in MCV. Red blood cells increase in size due to a lack of B vitamins and folic acid.
3. Microcytic type anemia. It manifests itself due to a lack of iron.

How is it determined

Currently, the average volume of erythrocytes is included in the general blood count. But, if necessary, it can be performed separately. To donate blood to determine the level of red blood cells, the patient must visit his family therapist, who will write a referral to the laboratory. After that, in the morning before 10 o'clock, the patient must come to the laboratory, where blood samples from a finger or vein will be taken from him.

In order to ultimately get the most accurate data, the patient must follow some rules:

• visit the laboratory only in the morning and do not have breakfast, since the fence is carried out only on an empty stomach;
• two weeks before the intended visit to the laboratory, you should stop taking medications, if without these a person cannot live with drugs, then it is imperative that the doctor be warned about taking them so that he carries out all the necessary adjustments;
• the day before blood sampling, fatty and fried foods should be removed from the diet, alcohol-containing drinks should not be consumed, emotional and serious physical exertion should be avoided;
• the last meal should be no later than 5 hours before the test;
• women should not donate blood during the period when she is menstruating;
• the general well-being of the patient should be good, blood should not be donated if the person even feels a slight malaise, is in a coma or cardiac shock.

Within a day after taking blood, the patient can receive an answer and find out what is the level of red blood cells in his blood.

How to bounce back

The average erythrocyte volume MCV is elevated in the blood of an adult - this is a serious problem that does not allow a large cell to move through the vessels and deliver oxygen to organs in time and systems. It is for this reason that a high MCV index provokes tissue hypoxia.

The following recommendations will help to correct the situation:

• try to avoid stressful situations, find more time for rest;
• try to give up the use of alcoholic beverages, give up smoking and other addictions;
• revise the diet and include more foods with a high content of folic acid and vitamin B12 in it, you can simply drink a course of vitamins;
• undergo a full examination to find out if there are any other ailments.

Pathology of infectious genesis

If a high level of red blood cells is triggered by the presence of infectious pathologies, then in this case, therapy involves taking antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action.

The following drugs have shown high efficiency:

1. Dalacin Phosphate. This is one of the best drugs available in several forms, which is prescribed for the development of resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics of a weaker spectrum of action. The drug is rapidly absorbed and penetrates into tissues affected by infection, where even such microorganisms as pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci are suppressed. The drug is approved for admission from 1 month. You can not take it during gestation, myasthenia gravis, kidney and liver failure. The average price of the drug is 800 rubles.
2. Azithromycin. It is one of the most effective antibiotics available in tablet form. It has a pronounced antibacterial and bacteriostatic effect against almost all pathogenic microorganisms, such as chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureplasma and others. The drug should be taken three times a day for no more than 5 days. The average price of the drug varies within 300 rubles.

If the problem is associated with an infectious lesion of the body, in addition to antibiotics, the doctor prescribes drugs that strengthen the walls of the digestive system, which help to restore natural flora. The problem is that diarrhea is often associated with taking antibiotics. It is very important to prevent the destruction of the natural environment in the intestines.

Treatment of an inflammatory problem

Taking anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs helps not only to remove pain, but also significantly reduce the focus of the inflammatory process, if the increase in the average volume of red blood cells is caused by this particular problem.

A specialist may recommend taking these medications:

1. Nurofen. This drug in tablet form is prescribed to patients with pain syndrome of various origins. The tablets are excellent for treating neurological problems, helping to relieve discomfort in joints and muscles. Allowed for admission from 12 years old. You can not take the drug with a special intolerance to the components, as well as asthma, peptic ulcer, intestinal perforation, severe forms of kidney, liver and heart failure. The average cost of the drug is 150 rubles.
2. Nimesil. The drug is produced in the form of granules used to prepare a suspension. This drug is actively used after surgery, with serious lesions of the musculoskeletal system, which are accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition. This medication is considered the most effective if the condition of the joints and soft tissues should be normalized. Among the contraindications, there is a special sensitivity to taking the drug. The average price of the drug is 200 rubles.

If the pathology is additionally accompanied by a high fever, then a specialist may prescribe antipyretic drugs.

Treatment of liver damage

If an increase in the average volume of erythrocytes is provoked by liver damage, then the restoration of organ functions, then a specialist may recommend taking hepatoprotectors. This group of drugs has a pronounced regenerative effect on liver tissue.

Such drugs have good efficacy:

1. Antral. This medicine, available in tablet form, helps to treat acute and chronic hepatitis of various origins, cirrhosis of the liver, and reduces dyspeptic symptoms. If you take the drug in courses, it is possible to normalize the bilirubin content, the prothrombin index. Antral has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. The dose and course are selected individually, depending on the severity of the course of the disease. You can not prescribe a medicine in case of special intolerance to the components or violation of the excretory ability of the urinary system. The average cost of the drug is 300 rubles.
2. Bicyclol. This drug in the form of tablets is identical in chemical structure to Bifendat. Taking this drug reduces the high activity of transaminases in hepatitis, as well as damage to the liver by chloroform, normalizes the disturbed structure of liver tissue. The dosage and course are selected individually for each patient, depending on the severity of the disease. You can not prescribe the drug in case of intolerance to the components from the composition, the acute course of hepatitis, as well as during the period of gestation and breastfeeding. The drug is not prescribed for children under 12 years of age. The average price of the drug is 450 rubles.

Treatment of signs of intoxication

A high level of red blood cells can indicate severe intoxication of the body. It is necessary to eliminate it with saline solutions, which are introduced into the body in the form of droppers. Also, the patient is advised to follow the drinking regime - drink at least 1.5 liters of liquid and ray if it is purified and non-carbonated water.

But in order to prevent blood clots, antiplatelet agents are prescribed - such drugs are injected subcutaneously to make the blood less thick. But there are drugs that are available in tablet form, which also prevent blood clots.

These include:

1. Agrenox. This drug is available in the form of capsules, which contain acetylsalicylic acid as the main component. It is this substance that helps to inactivate the enzyme in platelets, helping to prevent the formation of thromboxane, a powerful inducer of platelet aggregation. The drug should be taken for a long time - the course is individual and the dosage as well. You can not take the medicine to people with peptic ulcer, in the last months of pregnancy, children under 18 years of age, special intolerance to the components. The price of the drug on average varies within 1500 rubles.
2. Brilinta. This drug is available in tablet form, and the active ingredient in it is ticagrelor. This substance is a selective and reversible P2Y antagonist₁₂-receptors of direct action, preventing platelet aggregation. The dose and course are selected individually. You can not prescribe the drug to people with pathological bleeding, severe liver dysfunctions, children under 18 years of age, special sensitivity to the components of the drug. The average price of the drug is 1000 rubles.

If we ignore the high indicator of the average volume of red blood cells and do not look for the cause of their sharp increase in the blood, then in a short time serious disorders will appear in almost all organs.

The blood becomes thicker, which negatively affects the processes of respiration, the supply of cells with blood and oxygen. Such failures lead to disturbances in the functions of the cerebral cortex, the liver increases in volume, as well as the kidneys and spleen. All deviations can be fatal, so it is important to find the cause of the high rate and eliminate it.

MCV - erythrocyte index, which helps to quickly make an accurate diagnosis. But it must be remembered that the average index of erythrocytes is not always increased or decreased - this is already a pathology. Improper lifestyle, bad habits, uncontrolled intake of certain medications can also affect the level of red blood cells in the blood.

In order to avoid mistakes, it is very important to entrust the decryption of the received data to a specialist. He will collect anamnesis, check the results of the analysis, clarify the patient's complaints and, on the basis of the information received, will make an accurate diagnosis and will select the correct therapy, perhaps it will be enough just to reconsider the lifestyle, exclude alcohol and smoking, and all indicators will come to the norm.

Video about red blood cells in the analysis

Malysheva about erythrocytes in a blood test: