MPV Blood LabTest
MPV stands for mean platelet volume. Platelets are small blood cells that are essential for blood clotting, the process that helps you stop bleeding after an injury. An MPV blood test measures the average size of your platelets. The test can help diagnose bleeding disorders and diseases of the bone marrow.
Other names: Mean Platelet Volume
Your health care provider may have ordered an MPV blood test as part of a complete blood count(CBC), which measures many different components of your blood, including platelets. A CBC test is often part of a routine exam. You may also need an MPV test if you have symptoms of a blood disorder. These include:
- Prolonged bleeding after a minor cut or injury
- Nosebleeds
- Small red spots on the skin
- Purplish spots on the skin
- Unexplained bruising
MPV results, along with platelet counts and other tests, can provide a more complete picture of the health of your blood. Depending on your platelet count and other blood measurements, an increased MPV result can indicate:
- Thrombocytopenia, a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of platelets
- Myeloproliferative disease, a type of blood cancer
- Preeclampsia, a complication in pregnancy that causes high blood pressure. It usually starts after the 20th week of pregnancy.
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
A low MPV can indicate exposure to certain drugs that are harmful to cells. It may also indicate marrow hypoplasia, a disorder that causes a decrease in blood cell production. To learn what your results mean, talk to your health care provider.
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