What is Mpv? What should be the Mpv value?

by Abbas Jahangir · June 24, 2024

Blood; It contains different types of cells, such as red and white blood cells and platelets. All of these cells exist in a balance in the blood within certain value ranges. Disruption of the balance between blood cells, increase or decrease in the amount of some blood cells can be a sign of various diseases. One of these blood cells used to investigate diseases by looking at blood tests is MPV. MPV, which is the short name of the parameter called Mean Platelet Volume in English, means average platelet volume. As a result of examining the blood sample with the help of special devices, MPV measurement can be made by calculating the average size of the platelets. This value is investigated as part of a group of tests called a complete blood count or hemogram.

What is MPV?

In case of any injury in the body, platelets come together and help the blood clot, thus stopping bleeding. In addition, platelets have important roles in repairing damage to the vascular wall. There are 150-400 thousand platelets in the blood circulation. Their volumes are calculated by a test called MPV (mean platelet volume).

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a blood test that calculates the average size of platelets in a blood count that includes measurement of the number of platelets in the blood. Apart from routine screenings, MPV examination can be performed in patients with complaints such as recurrent nosebleeds, red spots on the skin, unexplained bruises on the skin, and difficulty in stopping bleeding. The data obtained as a result of the MPV test can be used for various purposes such as investigating the health status of the individual, monitoring the effectiveness of treatment or recovery.

In some cases, differences in MPV value may occur depending on the individual’s health problems, the use of certain medications, or the side effects of certain treatments received. The cause of platelet volumes found to be below or above the required value range as a result of the MPV test should be investigated and further diagnostic tests should be applied.

What should be the MPV value?

The reference range of the MPV value, which shows the average platelet volume for adult individuals, can be stated as 7.5-11.5 fl. Although this is an average value, the lower and upper limits of reference values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. MPV value gives an idea about platelet production in the bone marrow. The fact that the platelets produced recently are larger in volume may provide information about the cause of the high MPV.

MPV, a fairly easily performed blood test, is usually performed as part of a hemogram test that investigates a group of blood parameters. Cases where it is investigated alone are extremely rare. Its most important advantages are that it is a low-cost and rapid test that can be applied in primary health care institutions and that it can provide information about many health problems, especially bleeding disorders. This test can be applied in case of suspicion of any disease or during routine health screenings.

While a blood sample is being taken for the test, a tourniquet is applied to the arm by the healthcare professional, allowing the veins to be seen more clearly. Then, the required amount of blood sample is taken with the help of a thin needle. This procedure, completed in a few seconds, generally does not pose any risk of complications. Rarely, blood pressure drops, swelling, mild pain and bruising in the area where blood is taken may occur. After the application, sitting and resting for a few minutes and applying pressure to the application area for a certain period of time with the help of sterile cotton given by the healthcare professional prevents these complications.

A single tube blood sample is usually sufficient for a complete blood count test. However, if your doctor requests additional tests, you may need to provide several tubes of blood samples. Test results are usually available the same day or the day after the procedure. Once the results are received, they must be shown to the physician.

What is MPV Height?

A high MPV value indicates that the average platelet volume is above normal. In some cases, this may indicate excessive platelet production. New and young platelets produced in the bone marrow and released into the circulation are larger in size. It can be assumed that small-sized platelets remain in the bloodstream for a few days.

A low platelet count and a high MPV value means that the bone marrow produces platelets rapidly. In such a case, it is possible that the bone marrow produces platelets very quickly to compensate for the excessive destruction of platelets. The MPV value indicates the average size of platelets, not their number, and therefore cannot be used alone to diagnose any disease. The cause of high MPV can be investigated by combining the platelet count with other parameters in the blood count and different blood tests. Some conditions that can be considered as reasons for high average platelet volume are as follows:

cancers
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
bleeding diseases
Preeclampsia during pregnancy
hyperthyroidism
Hypertension
Paralysis (stroke)
Heart diseases
Diabetes (sugar) disease
Atrial fibrillation
vitamin D deficiency
Obesity

What is Low MPV?

In addition to high MPV in the blood, low MPV may also occur in some cases. This means that the average volume of platelets is smaller than normal. Small volume platelets are generally aged platelets. Therefore, a low MPV test result may indicate that platelet production has slowed down. Many reasons, such as slowing down of platelet production in the bone marrow for any reason or increased platelet destruction, may cause the MPV value in the blood to decrease.

When considering such possibilities, the MPV value cannot be used as a sole determinant and requires additional diagnostic tests. Different diagnostic tests should be used, taking into account the symptoms and disorders found in the patient, as well as other blood parameters included in the blood count. Some situations that can cause a low MPV value include:

Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis , Crohn’s disease
Cytotoxic drugs used in the chemotherapy phase of cancer treatment
Extreme anemia
Wiscott Aldrich Syndrome

Although high or low MPV can be a sign of various health problems, this does not always constitute a problem. Differences in lifestyle, nutritional problems, acute or chronic diseases, smoking and alcohol use, obesity and many other situations can lead to an increase or decrease in the MPV value. The results of the blood tests are evaluated by your physician, taking into account your special conditions.

For some people, a high or low MPV value may be expected and considered normal. There may be predictable differences in MPV levels, especially in people receiving cancer treatment or those with bleeding diseases. Therefore, when you receive your test results, the best option would be to consult your physician directly and take into account your physician’s recommendations, rather than interpreting your results according to reference values.

Treatment of low MPV or high MPV requires first determining the cause of the condition in question. If there is any disease that causes this condition, initiating treatment may help MPV values return to normal. In case of MPV changes due to chronic disease or long-term treatments, blood values can be monitored with regular blood tests.

If you see that your MPV value is high or low in your blood test, you can consult your doctor and get information about the reasons for this situation. If necessary, you can have additional diagnostic tests done to ensure that your possible health problems are detected at an early stage and you can continue your life in a healthier way.