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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes High MCV While Suffering From Heavy Menstruation?

So I ve just begun pre menopause and had blood work done- I should mention I have menstruated 5 x since July 9th...leading to my seeing my ob-my mcv listed as high at 101...should I be concerned? been vegan for 5 years...and my other blood work shows I am Not anemic...is this just a side effect of menstruating every 2 weeks or my 1-2 glasses of wine a nite....?
Wed, 5 Oct 2016
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Ayurveda Specialist,  's  Response
**
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health concern

1. MCV [mean corpuscular volume] means volume of an average RBC [red blood cell] which should be in normal range of 80-90 cubic micron and when the number is bigger 101 it means that cell is larger than normal, a term called as Macrocytosis

2. Make sure to ask for vitamin B12 and folic acid level and if this is normal I don't think there is anything to worry about, some people can have high MCV without any significant abnormality [may be considered as a normal variant] and if higher than the previous think of alcohol intake as the cause of high MCV [1-2 glasses of wine at night] which causes vitamin B12 malabsorption

PS. make sure to check regularly with the MCV values and compare with the previous one if it remains the same then possible no further investigation might be required, however consult with a pathologist/Hematologist regarding hematologic condition MDS [myelodyspastic syndrome] which also cause increase in MCV.

. too high/too low MCV in cases of menstruation is not significant

3. Other possibilities to look for heavy menstruation during pre menopausal age is/are:
P.V. examination and USG to rule out abnormalities of uterus [polyps, endometrial atrophy, endometrial hyperplasia]
. Endometrial curettage and Biopsy to rule out malignancy
. If biopsy is normal, you will be advised hormone therapy pills for 3-4 cycles
. but if bleeding is not controlled, hysterectomy is advisable.
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What Causes High MCV While Suffering From Heavy Menstruation?

** Thanks for contacting HCM with your health concern 1. MCV [mean corpuscular volume] means volume of an average RBC [red blood cell] which should be in normal range of 80-90 cubic micron and when the number is bigger 101 it means that cell is larger than normal, a term called as Macrocytosis 2. Make sure to ask for vitamin B12 and folic acid level and if this is normal I don t think there is anything to worry about, some people can have high MCV without any significant abnormality [may be considered as a normal variant] and if higher than the previous think of alcohol intake as the cause of high MCV [1-2 glasses of wine at night] which causes vitamin B12 malabsorption PS. make sure to check regularly with the MCV values and compare with the previous one if it remains the same then possible no further investigation might be required, however consult with a pathologist/Hematologist regarding hematologic condition MDS [myelodyspastic syndrome] which also cause increase in MCV. . too high/too low MCV in cases of menstruation is not significant 3. Other possibilities to look for heavy menstruation during pre menopausal age is/are: P.V. examination and USG to rule out abnormalities of uterus [polyps, endometrial atrophy, endometrial hyperplasia] . Endometrial curettage and Biopsy to rule out malignancy . If biopsy is normal, you will be advised hormone therapy pills for 3-4 cycles . but if bleeding is not controlled, hysterectomy is advisable.