Normal range: 7.5 – 12.5 fL (higher is better)
MPV measures the average size of your platelets. Larger platelets are younger and more metabolically active. When your bone marrow is working hard to replace platelets, it releases bigger ones, so a high MPV often accompanies a low platelet count. Research has linked elevated MPV to increased cardiovascular risk, though it is not yet a standard screening marker.
MPV isn't sold on its own. It comes in a complete blood count (CBC), about $35. A fuller workup adds Vitamin D ($75), hs-CRP ($69), ApoB ($50), and ApoA1 ($50). You can test MPV and 100 other biomarkers for $190 as part of an Empirical membership.
Empirical is FSA/HSA eligible, so you can pay with pre-tax dollars. Fast for 8-12 hours beforehand for the most accurate lipid and metabolic results, and expect results in days rather than weeks.
MPV measures the average size of platelets. Changes can indicate various conditions affecting platelet production.
Mean Platelet Volume stays relatively flat across adult ages (correlation with age, r = -0.02). Most of the spread in the chart below comes from differences between people rather than from age.
A normal MPV is 7.5 – 12.5 fL. Higher is better.
High MPV often accompanies low platelet counts as the bone marrow compensates by releasing larger, younger platelets. Diabetes, obesity, and smoking are all associated with higher MPV. Sepsis and acute inflammatory conditions can also raise it.
Low MPV can indicate bone marrow suppression from chemotherapy, aplastic anemia, or chronic inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
Managing cardiovascular risk factors (maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, controlling blood sugar) is associated with lower MPV, though there is no direct lifestyle intervention that targets MPV specifically. It is best interpreted as a supporting clue alongside your platelet count and other markers.
MPV is most highly correlated with Iron Saturation and Eosinophils Percent. Here are the top biomarkers correlated with MPV, based on 500,000 tests done by Empirical Health.
The percentage shows how strongly two biomarkers move together. A higher number means the relationship is stronger. Green = rises and falls together. Orange = one rises as the other falls.
MPV is drawn at 2,200+ Quest and BioReference patient service centers across the US, so there's usually one within a short drive. Browse the full directory to find the one closest to you.
Test your Mean Platelet Volume and 100+ other biomarkers in a single blood draw.
