Patient Report: MCV at Lower Limit of Normal – Possible Microcytosis / Thalassemia?
Finding: A Mean Cell Volume (MCV) of 83 fL is at the lower limit of the normal range (83–103 fL). This means the patient’s red blood cells are slightly smaller than average. While this alone does not confirm disease, it can suggest microcytosis (small red blood cells), which is often linked to certain types of anemia. MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) If Genetic Thalassemia is Absent If the patient does not have genetic evidence of thalassemia (e.g., no mutations detected by 23andMe in common beta thalassemia genes), they may still have other HBB gene mutations not included in that testing. About Thalassemia: Thalassemia is a group of inherited blood disorders affecting the production of hemoglobin , the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. It is caused by mutations in genes (such as HBB ) that produce the globin chains of hemoglobin. Beta Thalassemia Major : Caused by two defective copies of the HBB gene; typically results in severe anemia. Beta Thalassemia Minor ...