High MCV

[not_fun]

Hi, I've been drinking a bottle of wine a night, some nights two, for the last 5+ years.  I'm 35 live in london.  I started getting pains in liver (under right rib cage) and visited the doctor who undertook some blood tests and declared that all was OK however my Mean Corpuscular Volume was 103 (said 90 was norm) but said not to worry and lay off alcohol.

As a wake up call I have now stopped drinking that much (3-5 glasses a week) but I'm still getting pains and concerned the damage is done!

I have constant mixed stools, my breath has been bad and often get dizzy spells if I have not eaten.

Does this MCV level suggest liver damage?  Is 103 very high?  Is it possible to have normal-ish blood tests but still have damaged liver through alcohol?

Thanks Doc.

[lizziecee]

Hi - I wouldn't worry too much, as my MCV has been elevated for the past 6 months or so. It is 101.2 and lab report shows norm to be 80-98. Although I do drink wine with my meal in the evening, my gastro said in my particular case it is because I am having 12.5mg injections of methotrexate weekly, which affects the bone marrow and can be very toxic to the liver.  The level was even higher before I started taking folic acid daily, which has helped bring the level down considerably.
Liz.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

An elevated MCV can imply alcohol disease.  

Other possibilities would be B12 deficiency, which can be evaluated with a blood test.

If alcoholic liver disease is suspected, I would obtain liver enzymes as well as an abdominal ultrasound.  Normal lab tests does not exclude liver damage from alcohol.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com