What is the average volume of red blood cells measured in blood tests?

The average volume of red blood cells in blood tests is indicated by the Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV). MCV measures the size of an average red blood cell and is typically expressed in femtoliters (fL). This measurement helps in assessing the health of red blood cells and can be critical in diagnosing various types of anemias, as well as in determining the cause of anemia—whether it is due to nutritional deficiencies, bone marrow issues, or other factors.

In practice, a normal MCV value helps clinicians understand whether red blood cells are larger than normal (macrocytic), smaller than normal (microcytic), or within a normal range (normocytic), which in turn aids in guiding further diagnostic evaluation and treatment. This focus on cellular volume is what distinguishes MCV from the other options listed.