It is routinely performed as part of a complete blood count. The Hct in percentage points usually is approximately three times the Hgb concentration in grams per deciliter when RBCs are of normal size and contain normal amounts of Hgb. Normal values also vary according to gender and age. The MPV is a measure of the volume of a large number of platelets determined by an automatic analyzer. MPV is to platelets as MCV is to the red blood cell.
Platelet activity is essential to blood clotting.
This test is also useful in identifying anemias. The Reticulocyte Count represents a direct measurement of RBC production by the bone marrow.