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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/mpv-blood-test/

MPV Blood Test

What is an MPV Blood Test?

MPV stands for mean platelet volume. Platelets are small blood cells that stick together to make blood clots that stop or slow bleeding when you have a cut or injury. Platelets are made in your bone marrow.

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

What is it used for?

An MPV blood test is used to help diagnose or monitor many blood-related conditions. The test may also be used to help diagnose other health conditions or find out how serious they may be. A test called a platelet count is often done with an MVP test. A platelet count measures the total number of platelets in your blood.

Why do I need an MPV blood test?

Your health care provider may order an MPV blood test as part of a complete blood count (CBC), which measures many different parts 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 that may involve having too many or too few platelets. These symptoms include:

  • Bleeding that takes a long time to stop, even from minor cuts
  • Nosebleeds
  • Bleeding from brushing your teeth
  • Small red or purplish spots on the skin
  • Bruising easily
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding (especially heavy menstrual periods)
  • Feeling weak or dizzy
  • Lasting headache and dizziness
  • Pain and burning in the feet and hands

What happens during an MPV blood test?

During the test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

You don't need any special preparations for an MPV blood test. If your provider has ordered more tests on your blood sample, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.

Are there any risks to the test?

There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

What do the results mean?

An MPV test alone can't diagnose a health condition. Your provider will use your MPV results along with your platelet counts and other test results to get a more complete picture of your health. Depending on your platelet count and other blood test results, an MPV result that's higher than normal may be a sign of:

  • Thrombocytopenia, not having enough platelets
  • Myeloproliferative diseases, blood cancers in which the bone marrow makes too many platelets or other blood cells
  • Preeclampsia, a complication in pregnancy that causes high blood pressure. It usually starts after the 20th week of pregnancy.
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Hemolytic anemia

A low MPV test result may be a sign of:

To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

Is there anything else I need to know about an MPV blood test?

Many things can affect the results of your MPV blood test. Your age, sex, race and ethnicity, lifestyle (diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, physical activity), and genes can affect both your MPV and platelet counts.

References

  1. Bessman JD, Gilmer PR, Gardner FH. Use of mean platelet volume improves detection of platelet disorders. Blood Cells [Internet]. 1985 [cited 2017 Mar 15]; 11(1):127–35. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4074887
  2. ClinLab Navigator [Internet]. ClinLab Navigator LLC.; c2022. Mean Platelet Volume; [cited 2022 Feb 21]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: http://www.clinlabnavigator.com/mean-platelet-volume.html?letter=M
  3. F.E.A.S.T's Eating Disorders Glossary [Internet]. Milwaukee: Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders; Bone Marrow Hypoplasia; [cited 2017 Mar 15]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: http://glossary.feast-ed.org/3-treatment-medical-management/bone-marrow-hypoplasia
  4. Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner & Suddarth's Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; c2014. Platelet Count; p. 419.
  5. Korniluk A, Koper-Lenkiewicz O, Kaminska J, Kemona H, Dymicka-Piekarska V. Mean Platelet Volume (MPV): New Perspectives for an Old Marker in the Course and Prognosis of Inflammatory Conditions. Mediators of Inflammation [Internet]. 2019 Apr 17 [cited 2022 Feb 21]; 2019 (Article ID 9213074). Available from: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/mi/2019/9213074/
  6. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine: Genetics Home Reference [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome ; [last updated 2020 Sep 8; cited 2022 Feb 21]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/8p11-myeloproliferative-syndrome/
  7. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Blood Tests; [updated 2022 Mar 24; cited 2022 Feb 21]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-tests
  8. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Thrombocytopenia; [cited 2022 Feb 21]; [about 17 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/thcp
  9. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Thrombocythemia and Thrombocytosis; [cited 2022 Feb 21]; [about 14 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/thrombocythemia-and-thrombocytosis
  10. Slavka G, Perkmann T, Haslacher H, Greisenegger S, Marsik C, Wagner OF, Endler G. Mean Platelet Volume May Represent a Predictive Parameter for Overall Vascular Mortality and Ischemic Heart Disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. [Internet]. 2011 Feb 17 [cited 2017 Mar 15]; 31(5):1215–8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21330610
  11. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA).: OneCare Media; c2022. Complete Blood Count; [modified 2021 Dec 2; cited 2022 Feb 21]; [about 17 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/complete-blood-count-cbc/
  12. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Platelet Count; [modified 2021 Dec2; cited 2022 Feb 21]; [about 15 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/platelet-count/
  13. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Platelets; [cited 2022 Feb 21]; [about 4 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=platelet_count

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.