Mean platelet volume (MPV)

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.

The normal MPV range is around 7-12 fL.

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

Elevated MPV value has been found to be associated with atherothrombotic disorders such as atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, and cerebrovascular events. Recent studies demonstrated that MPV could be used as a diagnostic marker for certain inflammatory disorders.

When you don't have enough platelets in your blood, your body can't form clots. A low platelet count may also be called thrombocytopenia. This condition can range from mild to severe, depending on its underlying cause. For some, the symptoms can include severe bleeding and are possibly fatal if they're not treated. A low MPV can also 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.