Doctors use the MPV test or Mean Platelet Volume test to identify health issues like cardiovascular diseases, some cancers, anaemia and much more. Conducted during the complete blood count (CBC) test, MPV tests help doctors diagnose bleeding disorders and diseases of the bone marrow.

Keep reading to learn more about the MPV test, including its procedure, reports and more.

MPV tests are conducted under the umbrella of complete blood count (CBC) tests to measure the average size of the platelets. Platelets are small blood cells that are essential for blood clotting, and thus, platelet abnormalities can be a sign of bleeding disorders or other serious health problems.

Platelets are made in the bone marrow, and they stick together to make blood clots that slow the bleeding at the time of a cut or injury. Thus, platelets need to be monitored through the MPV tests to diagnose ailments in the bone marrow or other blood-related conditions.

During an MPV test, the patient's blood is drawn from the veins with the help of a small needle. This blood is collected in a small test tube. The process of collecting the blood sample takes less than 5 minutes and is not very painful.

You can experience slight tingling or bruising in the skin from where the blood has been drawn, but this will last only for a few days.

High MPV reports that you have larger than average platelets. This can be a sign of your body producing too many platelets. Platelets are released into the bloodstream after being produced in the bone marrow. Larger platelets are young and recently produced ones from the bone marrow. Smaller platelets are, however, in circulation for a few days.

Some reasons for high MPV include:

• Blood loss from trauma or a major surgery
• Thrombocytopenia, or not having enough platelets
• Myeloproliferative diseases, or blood cancers where the bone marrow makes too many platelets

Cardiovascular risk factors like smoking, diabetes, and hypertension can also influence one's MPV. Someone with a low platelet count and high MPV levels suggests that the bone marrow is producing platelets rapidly, which can be the case when old platelets are being destroyed and the bone marrow is trying to compensate.

Average MPV test results can vary between 8 to 12 femtoliters. A high MPV is usually more than 12 femtoliters and a low MPV is less than 8 femtolitres. High MPV is when your platelets are larger than average, while low MPV is when your platelets are smaller than average.

A low MPV, along with other CBC results, may indicate the following:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Cytotoxic medications
• Aplastic anaemia

A normal MPV blood test report is 8fL to 12fL for non-pregnant adults. Any individual with an MPV beyond this range must be evaluated carefully, especially for arterial diseases. You must seek the advice of a medical expert on your MPV test reports.

Doctors can prescribe you to go for an MPV test if you have symptoms of low platelet count. These symptoms include:

• Excessive bruising 
• Superficial bleeding in the skin
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts
• Bleeding gums or nose
• Blood in urine or stools
• Unusual heavy menstrual flow
• Fatigue

No special preparations are required before your MPV test. If the doctor has ordered other tests on your blood sample, then you need to fast several hours before the test. Your medical healthcare provider will provide you with all the relevant details about your MPV test.

Thus, the MPV test is highly used to diagnose blood-related disorders and it helps the doctors to understand the patient’s health status and provide the specific treatment needed. Several factors affect the MPV test results like exercise routine, high altitude and much more.