Mean Platelet Volume

The smallest type of blood cell is called a platelet. When inactive, they have a structure that is similar to a plate.

When the body detects damage to any region of the body, platelets react by assisting in the formation of blood clots to prevent bleeding. However, too little or too many platelets in your bloodstream might have serious consequences.

A Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) test reveals your blood's average quantity of platelets. Doctors can use it to identify bone marrow abnormalities and bleeding disorders.

An average platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microlitre (ml) of blood. Your platelet count may indicate that you have a normal concentration of platelets if it falls within this range. However, if it is less than 150,000 or greater than 450,000, that may signify a health issue.

A high or low MPV could indicate either thrombocytopenia or thrombocytosis. You may have thrombocytopenia if your MPV test results indicate that your platelet count is less than 150,000 per ml of blood. When you have thrombocytopenia, your body struggles to produce sufficient blood clots to protect you from harm or injury. People who have thrombocytopenia tend to bleed or bruise easily.

It commonly results from:

• Medications 
• Genetic disorders 
• Immune disorders 
• Cirrhosis, a condition where your liver develops scar tissue
• Sepsis, a severe illness brought on by an infection that may result in organ failure
• Cancers affecting the bone marrow or blood 
• Chemotherapeutic therapy 
• Any kidney-related condition
• Excessive alcohol consumption

If your blood's mean platelet count is greater than normal, you may have thrombocytosis. There are two types of thrombocytosis—Primary and Secondary.

Primary thrombocytosis occurs when aberrant cells enter the bone marrow and boost platelet production. The reasons for this illness are unknown. Primary thrombocytosis and secondary thrombocytosis are identical; however, secondary thrombocytosis results from another disorder. Cancer, irritation, infection, bone marrow dysfunction, or anaemia are some of its potential causes. In most cases, secondary thrombocytosis is treated by addressing its underlying cause.

Your doctor or other healthcare professional will be able to tell you when you require a Mean Platelet Volume test.

Your MPV blood test will be a component of a comprehensive examination that will provide you with information regarding the composition of your blood. In such cases, complete blood count (CBC) testing is a common procedure.

However, there are rare circumstances where you might be exhibiting particular symptoms that call for more urgent testing. Your doctor may order a CBC and MPV blood test in response to a few of these symptoms:

• Tiny cuts that are bleeding uncontrollably 
• Recurring nosebleeds 
• Bruises or patches of colour on the skin 
• Rapid bruising

With the rapid and comparatively non-invasive Mean Platelet Volume test from Apollo 24|7, several blood-related disorders can be identified. During the test, only a little amount of blood is drawn from your veins by your doctor, who will then place the specimen in a tube or vial. Normally, this takes five minutes. There isn't anything that can go awry with this test; at worst, you might get slight bruising and pain when your provider draws a blood specimen.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Arshad Akeel, General physician, Apollo Hospitals Greams Road, Chennai