MPV Blood Test
Reviewed
Also called: Mean Platelet Volume, Mean Platelet Volume Blood Test
An MPV blood test measures the mean (average) size of your platelets. Looking at the size of platelets provides information about how well they're working.
Specimen: Blood
Why this test may be ordered
- As part of a routine checkup with a complete blood count (CBC)
- If you have symptoms of a blood disorder, such as prolonged bleeding, easy bruising, nosebleeds, small red or purplish spots on the skin, abnormal vaginal bleeding, weakness, dizziness, lasting headache, or pain and burning in the feet and hands
Preparation and collection
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.
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.
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.
Understanding results
An MPV test alone can't diagnose a health condition.
- High MPV (larger platelets): With a high MPV test result, your platelets are larger than usual. This may mean that your older (smaller) platelets are being destroyed at an increased rate and your bone marrow is making many new platelets. Limitation: Many things can affect the results of your MPV blood test. Next step: Your provider will use your MPV results, platelet counts, and other test results to get a more complete picture of your health.
- Low MPV (smaller platelets): With a low MPV test result, your platelets are smaller than usual. This may mean your bone marrow isn't making enough new platelets. Limitation: Your age, sex, race and ethnicity, lifestyle (diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, physical activity), and genes can affect both your MPV and platelet counts. Next step: Your provider will use your MPV results, platelet counts, and other test results to get a more complete picture of your health.
- An MPV test alone cannot diagnose a health condition; it must be interpreted with platelet counts and other test results.
- Many factors can affect MPV results, including age, sex, race, ethnicity, lifestyle (diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, physical activity), and genes.
- The test provides only the average size of platelets and does not directly measure platelet function or count.
What to do next
To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.
- What do my MPV results mean in combination with my platelet count and other test results?
- Do I need any follow-up tests based on my MPV results?
- Could my lifestyle or medications be affecting my MPV levels?
- What symptoms should I watch for that might indicate a blood disorder?
- How often should I have my MPV and platelet levels checked?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.