MPV (short for mean platelet volume) is the designation of the platelet index, which characterizes the degree of platelet maturity in peripheral blood. The measurement is based on the fact that the size of young cells is larger than that of mature and aged cells. There is a connection between the size of platelets and their functional activity, so the index characterizes the state of the blood coagulation system, which platelets represent.
Determination of MPV in a general blood test is carried out within two hours after collecting the material, since with a later study the result may be distorted.
General blood analysis
A complete blood count (CBC, clinical blood test) is one of the most important and frequently prescribed laboratory tests. This analysis makes it possible to assess the condition of the body as a whole, confirm or exclude the suspected diagnosis, and monitor the progress of treatment.
Platelets are blood cells that stop bleeding if a blood vessel is damaged.
The first general blood test is performed for children in the maternity hospital. As the child grows up, it is recommended to carry it out regularly during routine medical examinations, which will make it possible to promptly identify abnormalities (for example, the development of iron deficiency anemia) and take the necessary measures in a timely manner. For preventive purposes, it is recommended to conduct a general blood test for adults once, and for children twice a year.
A general blood test includes determination of hemoglobin concentration, number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, hematocrit level, as well as erythrocyte and platelet indices and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A detailed blood test also includes a leukocyte count, which consists of determining the percentage of different types of leukocytes in the peripheral blood.
Counting the number of platelets and determining MPV is mandatory for women during pregnancy, as well as for patients with autoimmune diseases, varicose veins, liver pathologies, etc.
What to do if the MVP level is increased?
A thrombus, circulating with blood throughout the body, can enter a vessel of the heart or brain.
An increase in MVP production indicates that more cells are being produced than required.
Due to this, the consistency of the blood increases and the concentration becomes thicker. This disease is called thrombocytosis.
Thrombocytosis is dangerous because in excess blood clots begin to be created, which, reaching impressive sizes, can block the vessel and limit the blood supply.
Fatal outcomes are quite possible. Subsequently, it leads to heart attack and stroke, after which a third of sick people die.
Thrombocytosis is of two types:
- Relative – the norm is not significantly exceeded (from 20 to 30%)
- Critical - the norm is exceeded by 3-5 times.
In a critical case, urgent medical intervention is required!
An increase in MVP indicators is possible in two options:
- Certain physiological states of the body,
- Development of pathologies.
Physiological condition includes:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Certain medications
- Features of the child's body,
- Various types of bleeding.
The development of such pathologies affects the increase in MVP:
- Injuries (mostly in large numbers),
- Surgical interventions
- Various types of bleeding.
The main reasons for increasing MVP are some diseases:
- Alcoholism,
- Atherosclerosis,
- Diabetes
- Deterioration of the thyroid gland,
- Blood cancer,
- and others.
A peculiarity in pregnant women is a frequent increase in platelets, which in the vast majority of cases is as it should be. Since the body of the expectant mother changes and adapts to more comfortable conditions for gestation. This can be explained by the fact that the fetus needs its own circulatory system. It is for this purpose that a woman’s circulatory system produces more platelets.
Platelets, their types and functions
Platelets (PLT, platelets) are blood cells with a diameter of 2-4 microns that provide blood clotting. The functions of platelets include angiotrophic (the ability to maintain the structure and functions of the walls of microvessels), adhesive-aggregation (formation of a primary platelet plug in damaged blood vessels), platelets are also involved in fibrinolysis, maintaining vasospasm, and blood clot retraction. These blood cells have the ability to transport circulating immune complexes on the membrane.
An increase in MPV may indicate the presence of thrombocytopenia, myeloproliferative diseases, posthemorrhagic anemia, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes mellitus.
There are five forms of platelets: young, mature, old, irritable and degenerative.
Platelets, like other blood cells, are produced in the bone marrow. Approximately two-thirds of the total number of platelets is in the bloodstream, and one-third is in the spleen. The precursors of platelets are megakaryocytes - giant cells with a large nucleus, from which platelets are released. Platelets are fragments of the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes surrounded by a membrane. They do not have a nucleus and their lifespan is approximately ten days. Platelet granules contain clotting factors, serotonin, calcium ions, adenosine diphosphate, peroxidase, platelet growth factor, von Willebrand factor, etc.
Platelets are round or oval in shape. When a blood vessel is damaged, they are activated, the cells flatten, form pseudopodia (long outgrowths) and acquire the ability to stick to other platelets (aggregation) and the walls of the damaged vessel (adhesion). A blood clot forms, which blocks the damaged area and thereby stops bleeding. Stimulators of platelet aggregation include serotonin, thrombin, collagen, and adrenaline. In a normal (inactive) state, the platelet membrane does not support coagulation reactions. There is a connection between the size of platelets and their functional activity, the content of biologically active substances in their granules, and their tendency to adhere.
Normally, the number of platelets in the blood is 180–320 × 109/l, varying depending on the time of year and time of day (daily fluctuations can reach 10%). A physiological increase in the number of platelets in the blood occurs when rising to altitude, in winter, after injury or exhausting physical activity. A physiological decrease in platelet count is observed before and during menstruation (up to 25–50%), as well as during pregnancy.
A significant decrease in MPV in the blood of a pregnant woman indicates a threat of miscarriage.
When the balance between the formation and destruction of platelets is disturbed, a tendency to thrombosis or increased bleeding occurs. With an increase in the number of platelets and the development of thrombosis, there is a risk of pulmonary embolism, stroke, myocardial infarction, and blockage of blood vessels in other organs by clots. A decrease in the number of platelets leads to hemorrhages and bleeding, which can also cause the development of life-threatening conditions.
The counting of platelets in the blood is carried out using an automatic hematological analyzer; in some cases, there is a need to determine the number of platelets and their sizes in stained blood smears under a microscope when calculating the leukocyte formula.
Platelet indices of a general blood test include:
- mean platelet volume (MPV);
- platelet distribution width by volume (PDW) – an indicator of platelet anisocytosis (depending on the predominance of young or old forms in the blood);
- thrombocrit (PCT) - indicates the proportion of blood volume occupied by platelets (depending on the total number of platelets and the MPV index).
Platelet indices allow you to assess the state of the blood coagulation system
What to do if platelets have dropped?
With low MVP, thrombocytopenia actively develops.
If the indicators keep the bar below normal, then the histogram shows a low number of working cells, while there are many old and newly appeared ones.
Aging cells cannot perform their functions at full capacity and do not carry a biological load, but those created are not yet ready for this.
The disease is especially in that with a sufficient number of platelets, their quality can contribute to the development of pathologies.
There are three types of thrombocytopenia:
- The bone marrow reduces the synthesis of newly appeared cells. This may be a consequence of chronic alcoholism and problems with the liver or spleen.
- Increased platelet death indicates diseases of the spleen and liver, and also as a result of autoimmune diseases.
- Imbalance of platelet mass during distribution - many platelets are stored in the spleen, when they are not in demand.
It is difficult to detect thrombocytopenia in the early stages, due to the fact that external symptoms do not appear. But when tested for MVP, this disease can be detected.
At later stages, the manifestations of external symptoms of the disease begin:
- Nose and gums bleed
- Callos and urine contain blood,
- Vomiting blood
- Longer and more unpleasant menstruation in women,
- Hemorrhages under the skin, with a significant area.
Low platelet levels also occur for the following reasons:
- Blood diseases (congenital),
- Oncology,
- Viruses and microbes in the body.
Reduced MVP may indicate the following diseases:
- Enlarged spleen
- Heart attack
- Some medications
- Inflammatory diseases
- Oncology,
- and others.
If the platelet count decreases in pregnant women, there is a possibility of miscarriage.
During pregnancy, the number of these cells in the blood should be monitored more frequently and more carefully.
Preparation and delivery of a general blood test
To take a general blood test, standard preparation rules are used. Blood sampling is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. On the eve of the study, you should avoid excessive physical and mental stress, and give up fatty foods. Before donating blood, you should not smoke; the patient should be completely at rest for half an hour before the test. Blood for general analysis can be taken either from a finger or from a vein.
Determination of MPV in a general blood test is carried out within two hours after collecting the material, since with a later study the result may be distorted.
A decrease in MPV may mean an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), the presence of liver cirrhosis, hypoproteinemia, kidney disease, and thyroid pathologies.
Who should check the MPV level
A general blood test is one of the most common tests that is prescribed to rule out various diseases or find out their causes.
The MPV indicator (as well as other platelet tests) should be evaluated in people who:
- experience frequent nosebleeds
- have prolonged monthly bleeding
- have problems healing small skin cuts
- prone to bruising and hematomas
- have petechiae on the skin or mucous membranes
- noticed blood in the stool
- underwent surgery
- have chronic liver or kidney disease
- suffer from cardiovascular diseases
- have used hormonal contraception for many years
- are taking anticoagulants
MPV in a blood test: decoding, norms in women and men
Determination of MPV is important for assessing the hematopoietic function of the body. Using the MPV platelet index in a blood test, you can detect increased platelet aggregation, thrombosis, and active blood loss (if large platelets are detected in people with iron deficiency anemia). In addition, the MPV indicator in a blood test acts as an additional marker of chronic myeloproliferative diseases (the presence of large platelets in the peripheral blood).
The normal MPV in adults is the same for women and men and is 6–13 fl. In children under one year old, the MPV norm is 7–7.9 fl, 1–5 years old – 8–8.8 fl. For children over 5 years of age, the normal values are the same as for adults.
An elevated MPV platelet index indicates the presence of large platelets in the patient's peripheral blood. If the MPV in the blood test is low, this means a predominance of small platelets.
Prevention
It is necessary to regularly monitor blood composition. This will help to identify serious violations in time. You should consult a doctor for an analysis if bruises often appear, the skin changes color, you feel constant fatigue, tachycardia, or there is causeless weight loss. If you have chronic diseases, it is recommended to donate blood every 3 months.
To prevent hematopoietic disorders, you need to eat right, replacing animal fats with vegetable ones. It is also necessary to maintain a drinking regime and not take any medications without a doctor’s prescription.
Determining the platelet index or MPV helps to detect pathological changes in the body in a timely manner. If deviations from the norm are detected, the doctor will prescribe treatment.
When MPV in a blood test is increased and decreased
An increase in MPV may indicate the presence of thrombocytopenia, myeloproliferative diseases, posthemorrhagic anemia, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, infectious and inflammatory diseases, neoplasms, preeclampsia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, impaired platelet formation due to a lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid in the body, May-Hegglin anomaly , Bernard–Soulier syndrome. The index also increases after surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy), in smoking patients with atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels, with alcoholism and taking certain medications, and in the elderly.
When the balance between the formation and destruction of platelets is disturbed, a tendency to thrombosis or increased bleeding occurs.
Additional examinations
A blood test gives an approximate idea of the state of the body. It only allows us to state a fact: there is a problem. Why it arose is a different question, and the answer to it is sought using auxiliary techniques.
The examination is carried out by a hematologist. Third party specialists are brought in as needed.
- Oral interview with the patient. Complaints are informative in some cases. Symptoms indicate damage to one or another organ.
- Anamnesis collection. Lifestyle, past and current diseases, family history, genetics and other points. The doctor collects them for interpretation and determines the possible source of the problem. Its origins.
- Ultrasound of the digestive tract. First of all, specialists are interested in the liver.
- To study the functional state of the largest gland in the body, scintigraphy is prescribed. Radioisotope technique.
- A blood test for hormones helps identify thyroid diseases.
- Specific, extreme measures are possible. Bone marrow puncture, histological evaluation of the obtained material.
- If necessary, diabetes is diagnosed with special tests: sugar curve and others.
The question of examination is within the competence of the doctor. The list can be expanded or narrowed. Of necessity.
What does a decrease in MPV mean?
A decrease in MPV may mean an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), the presence of liver cirrhosis, hypoproteinemia, kidney disease, and thyroid pathologies. The platelet index decreases in aplastic anemia, septic thrombocytopenia, congenital megakaryocytic hypoplasia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, X-linked thrombocytopenia with platelet microcytosis, thrombocytopenia caused by immunological destruction of cells, as well as during chemotherapy and during pregnancy. A significant decrease in MPV in the blood of a pregnant woman indicates a threat of miscarriage.
