Mean platelet volume: Definition from Answers.com

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Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) is a measurement of the average size of platelets found in blood and is typically included in blood tests. Since the average platelet size is larger when the body is producing increased numbers of platelets, MPV test results can be used to make inferences about platelet production in bone marrow. Abnormally low MPV values correlate primarily with thrombocytopenia, also known as ITP (abnormally low platelets).

Thrombocytopenia can be caused by any number of disorders and insults to the body. ITP is thrombocytopenia due to auto immune destruction of platelets. Other causes of thrombocytopenia include; DIC, TTP, pancytopenia, heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), immuno suppression, drug induced.

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