What Causes A High Mpv
A high MPV is usually caused by increased platelet destruction or consumption, which is evidenced by a low platelet count. A high platelet count associated with a high MPV is a very rare finding therefore, it does not have a solid relation to any particular disorder. Some conditions commonly associated with a high MPV include:
- Immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
- Infections, such as malaria, dengue fever, and visceral leishmaniasis.
- Living at a high altitude.
- Conditions with low-grade systemic inflammation, such as psoriasis, Behçet’s disease, and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Certain anti-inflammatory drugs .
- Certain types of cancer .
- Inherited macrothrombocytopenia.
The MPV may be elevated in other diseases, and scientists are linking this finding to vascular disease, as well as other non-vascular disorders. While the data is not conclusive, evidence suggests that a high MPV may be associated with a higher risk of complications after having a heart attack, stroke, or venous thromboembolism.
If you have a high MPV and hypertension, diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or any condition that may increase your risk of clot formation, it would be wise to discuss it with your GP before jumping to conclusions.
Thrombocytopenia and a high MPV can be suspected if you present some of the following symptoms:
- Small red-purplish dots on the skin .
- Enlarged spleen.
Risks Associated With Having An Abnormal Mpv Level
An abnormal MPV level can be a serious health risk. MPV stands for mean platelet volume, and it is a measure of the average size of your platelets. Platelets are a type of blood cell that helps to clot your blood. If you have an abnormal MPV level, it means that your platelets are either too large or too small.
This can cause problems with blood clotting, and it can also increase your risk of bleeding. In some cases, an abnormal MPV level can also be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition. If you have an abnormal MPV level, it is important to talk to your doctor so that they can determine the cause and provide treatment if necessary.
How Is Thrombocytosis Treated
If you dont have symptoms, you may only need routine checkups.
Secondary forms of thrombocytosis rarely require treatment. Usually, levels return to normal after the condition causing high platelets resolves. If you do have symptoms, your healthcare provider will treat the underlying cause.
Your provider may recommend a few treatment options if you have essential thrombocythemia and are experiencing symptoms:
- Taking a daily low-dose aspirin: You can take aspirin to prevent blood clots. The low dose doesnt usually cause stomach upset or bleeding. Be sure to check with your provider before taking aspirin regularly.
- Taking medicines that lower platelet levels: Medications such as hydroxyurea and anagrelide suppress platelet production in your bone marrow. Interferon alfa prevents abnormal platelets from dividing and multiplying.
- Having a procedure to remove your platelets: If your platelets are so high that theyre putting you at risk of life-threatening blood clots, your provider may recommend plateletpheresis. This procedure uses a machine to filter excess platelets from your blood. Most causes of thrombocytosis dont require plateletpheresis.
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What Causes A Low Mpv
A low MPV is generally caused by two types of conditions: those that consume large platelets or those that impair bone marrow function and platelet production.
The first case is characterised by disorders in which younger, larger and more active platelets are rapidly consumed as a result, only the smaller ones are left in circulation. In the second case, the megakaryocytes or the bone marrow are impaired by disease or chemotherapy, which leads to lower platelet production as newer platelets are not produced, the MPV is lowered. A single condition may present one or both mechanisms to lower the MPV.
Some relevant examples include:
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What It Means To Have Too Few Platelets

When you dont have enough platelets, its called thrombocytopenia. Symptoms include easy bruising, and frequent bleeding from the gums, nose, or GI tract. Your platelet count drops when something is preventing your body from producing platelets. There are a wide range of causes, including:
- Certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma
- Chemotherapy treatment for cancer
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What Are The Symptoms Of Aplastic Anemia
Many people with this condition present with minimal symptoms, but with low blood counts. Most common symptoms include:
- Bleeding/bruising easily.
- Frequent infections.
Aplastic anemia symptoms can affect people differently. They may come on slowly or suddenly. Some people may have manageable, mild symptoms. Others may have symptoms that indicate severe aplastic anemia. Severe aplastic anemia requires urgent medical treatment.
High Mpv Blood Test Levels And Increased Risk Of Heart Attack
High MPV levels could mean that you are at an increased risk of heart disease and heart attack.
The British Journal of Haematology reported that increased MPV in individuals could mean that they are a greater risk of a heart attack. This is especially true if they already have coronary artery disease.19
There are 5 easy ways to reduce your risk of heart attack by over 80%. Being physically active, consuming a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking are simple lifestyle changes that can boost your cardio health.
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Causes Of Low Mpv Levels
A low MPV generally suggests that most of your platelets are older and that your bone marrow has slowed down production of platelets. Here too, your total platelet count can help provide insight about the cause.
A low MPV with the following platelet counts can suggest associated conditions:
- Low platelet count along with low MPV points toward bone marrow disorders that slow down or decrease the production of platelets, such as aplastic anemia.
- High platelet count along with low MPV often signifies an infection, inflammation, or cancer.
- Normal platelet count along with low MPV is common with chronic kidney failure.
How Do I Take Care Of Myself With Immune Thrombocytopenia
There are some things you can do that may lower your risk of bleeding. These include:
- Avoiding sports that can put you at risk for injuries that could bleed.
- Checking with your provider before you take any medicines or herbal supplements because they could make you more likely to bleed.
- Protecting your body from injury by wearing gloves and using seat belts.
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Who Should Take The Mean Platelet Volume Blood Test
Measure your general blood and immune health and ability to fight viral & bacterial infections using a home finger-prick blood test kit.
You get the convenience of home testing with the reassurance of professional clinical analysis. Your results are delivered quickly & securely online.
This Full Blood Count Test is advised if you:
- have symptoms of anemia
- think you may have a bacterial or viral infection
- want to check the general health of your blood
- want the convenience of home testing without waiting for a GP appointment
- need a high quality, clinically accredited test done in a professional clinical laboratory.
Take a complete health check-up with Vitall.
How Do I Find A Match For A Bone Marrow Transplant
A successful bone marrow transplant requires a good donor match. A good donor match is someone with the same blood type or similar genetic makeup. For most people, the best match is a close relative such as a sibling or parent.
If you do not have a known donor match, you may enlist in a national registry. This registry pairs you with a compatible donor. You may need immunosuppressive therapy or other treatment while you wait for a good donor match.
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What To Do If You Have Low Mpv
When you have low MPV, it is best to consult your doctor. Depending on your lifestyle, a low mean platelet volume can be normal for you. However, when you combine your low MPV with the other results of your CBC, this can lead your doctor to do more testing to help rule out an underlying health problem.
On its own, a low MPV doesnât mean anything about your risk of having a disease, such as cancer.
At the same time, your doctor will help you discuss the potential causes of your low mean platelet volume and a possible treatment plan. For instance, a healthy diet and a number of anti-inflammatory foods can help prevent low MPV levels. Certain foods to include in your diet include berries, garlic, tuna, turmeric, green tea, and extra virgin olive oil.
Mean Platelet Volume In Respect With Platelet Count

- High MPV/low platelet count It happens when the platelets are destroyed and there are various factors responsible for it such as infection, antibodies, and toxins. A perfect example is idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura a platelet deficiency secondary to platelet destruction. The exact cause is unknown.
- High MPV/high platelet count It occurs when the bone marrow produces too many platelets which are common in patients with cancer or genetic mutation.
- High MPV/normal platelet count It occurs in people with chronic myelogenous leukemia and hyperthyroidism.
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Symptoms Of Abnormal Mpv Levels
One of the symptoms of having low MPV levels in your CBC lab test results, is that your blood doesnt clot easily.
According to Dr. Charles Patrick Davis on MedicineNet, a low MPV could indicate a problem with platelet production. This can result in feeling tired all the time, prolonged bleeding cuts, unexplained bruising or bruising easily, or unusually heavy menstrual bleeding. You could also suffer from deep vein thrombosis.6
You may not have any visible symptoms if your mean platelet volume is too high. However, because high MPV can indicate that you are at more risk of cardiovascular problems7, you might have chest pains, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat, anxiety, or lightheadedness.
Q5 How Do I Lower My Mpv
There are many ways to lower MPV and this includes:1. Eating the right foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low saturated fat foods.2. Exercise regularly. Spend at least 30 minutes a day doing moderate physical activities.3. Avoid vices such as smoking and drinking.4. Maintain a healthy weight.
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High Cholesterol Is Connected With Mean Platelet Volume
High blood cholesterol can also increase your mean platelet volume and put you at risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The journal Angiology reported that low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol has a negative impact on the arteries. It was seen that patients with low HDL cholesterol also had significantly high MPV.21
If you suffer from high cholesterol levels, please read my article about 10 simple and effective ways to lower cholesterol naturally.
Blood Tests Are Also Used To Monitor Your Condition By Checking:
- How well your treatments are working
- Whether it is safe for you to continue your current treatment plan
- The effects of your medications
- Whether any of your blood cell types are below or above the normal range, and whether your blood is clotting normally
- The levels of electrolytes, minerals, hormones, oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood
- Whether you have an infection
- How well your organs and systems are working
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Causes Of Atrial Fibrillation
The heart contains four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.
Atrial fibrillation happens when these chambers dont work together as they should because of faulty electrical signaling.
Normally, the atria and ventricles contract at the same speed. In atrial fibrillation, the atria and ventricles are out of sync because the atria contract very quickly and irregularly.
The cause of atrial fibrillation isnt always known. One major factor is stress, including physical and mental or emotional. Stress makes abnormal electrical activity in the heart more likely to occur. It can also make your body tenser and even lead to changes in the speed of your heartbeat.
In some cases, otherwise healthy bodily fluctuations may lead to AFib.
For example, a noted that the use of estrogen monotherapy during menopause may increase risk of AFib.
Conditions that can cause damage to the heart and lead to atrial fibrillation include:
What Is Thrombocytosis
Thrombocytosis is having too many platelets in your blood. Platelets are blood cells that stop bleeding by sticking together to form a clot. Too many platelets, however, can cause your blood to become too sticky.
In severe cases, thrombocytosis can cause dangerous clots in your blood vessels, increasing your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Your experience of thrombocytosis, including its seriousness and whether you need treatment, depends on its cause.
What are the types of thrombocytosis?
There are two types of thrombocytosis: essential thrombocythemia and reactive thrombocytosis.
Essential thrombocythemia
Essential thrombocythemia , or primary thrombocytosis, is a rare blood disorder in which your bone marrow makes too many platelets. Your bone marrow makes most of your bodys blood cells, including platelets. With essential thrombocythemia, blood cell production goes wrong, causing you to have abnormal and excess platelets.
ET is also the most common myeloproliferative neoplasm .
Reactive thrombocytosis
Reactive, or secondary, thrombocytosis happens when your platelets increase in response to something else a condition, an injury, an infection, surgery, absent spleen, etc. With reactive thrombocytosis, you have high platelets because your body reacts to an underlying cause. Reactive thrombocytosis is often temporary.
Who gets thrombocytosis?
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About Red Blood Cells
Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, or RBCs, make up 40-45% of your blood. They live for 100-120 days and are replaced by new RBCs, which are made in the bone marrow. RBCs contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. A hematocrit shows what percentage of your blood is made up of RBCs. Your RBC count is usually interpreted with your hemoglobin and hematocrit results.
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Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width provide more information about the cause of an abnormal platelet count. These tests are done by machine.
- Mean Platelet Volume : The average size of your platelets . A high MPV with a low platelet count may indicate that the platelets you make are going into circulation very quickly. A low MPV is linked to inflammatory bowel disease, chemotherapy and certain types of anemia.
- Platelet Distribution Width : Tells how similar the platelets are in size . A high PDW means there is a great variation in size, which may be associated with vascular disease or certain cancers.
Sometimes during the test, platelets stick together and the machine gives a false reading, interpreting it as fewer, larger platelets. In that case, the lab may do a blood smear and directly examine the platelets under a microscope.
Low Mpv: What Does It Mean

A low MPV result refers to a blood platelet count lower than normal. It can be attributed to various disorders, diseases, injuries, drug reactions, and even natural hormone changes in the body. A low MPV count does increase the risk for serious blood loss if you are injured.
Low readings are seen in the early days of a womanâs menstrual cycle and in newborns. Even during the collection of blood samples, low MPV results have been discovered as the blood had clotted before the sample was tested.
There have not been conclusive tests to pinpoint one cause of low MPV readings.
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When To See A Doctor
The symptoms of CKD are often non-specific and generalized, meaning that they can be mistaken for any number of other illnesses. Because your kidneys are highly adaptable and able to compensate for lost function, the signs and symptoms may not be apparent until irreversible damage has occurred.
To this end, it is important to identify your personal risk factors and to see a doctor if you experience any symptoms suggestive of CKD.
How Do Changes In Mean Platelet Volume Affect Health And Wellbeing
Because of their clotting properties, platelets have been shown to produce clots in diseased blood vessels called thrombosis. Usually, young platelets are larger in size compared to older ones which means the higher the platelet volume, the larger and younger the platelets in circulation are. Platelet volumes have been associated with conditions, including coronary artery disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Some research has shown a link between vitamin D deficiency and an increase in MPV. Although the vitamin has many important roles in the human body, it also reduces the expression of adhesion molecules which prevents platelet activation. Vitamin D also interferes with the anticoagulant balance in the blood, resulting in an increased MPV.
A high MPV is associated with a greater risk of thrombosis, the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel. Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are linked with low MPV levels.
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Why Is This Analysis Important
An MPV blood test is used to help diagnose or monitor a variety of blood-related conditions. A test called a platelet count is often included with an MVP test. A platelet count measures the total number of platelets you have.
What are some of the causes of high Mean Platelet Volume ?
MPV results, along with platelet counts and other tests, can provide a more complete picture of the health of your blood. Depending on your platelet count and other blood measurements, an increased MPV result can indicate:
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Thrombocytopenia, a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of platelets
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Myeloproliferative disease, a type of blood cancer
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Preeclampsia, a complication in pregnancy that causes high blood pressure. It usually starts after the 20th week of pregnancy.
What are some of the causes of low Mean Platelet Volume ?
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A low MPV can indicate exposure to certain drugs that are harmful to cells.
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It may also indicate marrow hypoplasia, a disorder that causes a decrease in blood cell production.