MPV Blood Test

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. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions.

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. 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 cannot diagnose a health condition. Your provider will use your MPV results, platelet counts, and other test results to get a more complete picture of your health. Newly made platelets are larger than older platelets, so the average size of your platelets can provide information about whether your bone marrow is making a lot of new platelets.

• High MPV: 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. This can 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, heart disease, diabetes, or hemolytic anemia. Limitation: Many factors can affect MPV results, including age, sex, race, ethnicity, lifestyle (diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, physical activity), and genes. An MPV test alone cannot diagnose a condition. Next step: Your provider will interpret your high MPV result along with your platelet count and other test results to determine the cause and recommend appropriate follow-up.
• Low MPV: Your platelets are smaller than usual. This may mean your bone marrow is not making enough new platelets. This can be a sign of certain cancers, side effects from certain medicines, aplastic anemia, autoimmune diseases, bacterial or viral infections, genetic conditions, or alcohol use disorder (AUD). Limitation: Many factors can affect MPV results, including age, sex, race, ethnicity, lifestyle (diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, physical activity), and genes. An MPV test alone cannot diagnose a condition. Next step: Your provider will interpret your low MPV result along with your platelet count and other test results to determine the cause and recommend appropriate follow-up.

• 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. Your provider will use your MPV results, platelet counts, and other test results to get a more complete picture of your health.

• 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

U.S. National Library of Medicine: MPV Blood Test