MCV

 German Version

Abbrevation for Mean Corpusculär Volume (of the red blood cells). Finding increases (presumably by alcohol toxic bone marrow injury) for chronic alcohol consumption, but is not a specific diagnostic marker for alcoholism. Even after a period of up to 3 month after the alcohol abuse the increasement is detectable. Normal values of man and woman are 78-96 fL (femtoliters). The increasement is observed by alcohol abuse, at all kinds of liver damage, cancer, kidney damage and stomach ulcers. Also false or unilateral diet is often causing an increasement due to vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency. MCV musr be determinated in the fresh serum. Its specificity and sensitivity are about 50%.