Red Cell Indices http://www.lrc.arizona.edu/webpath2/TUTORIAL/HGB/RBCMORPH.HTM CDC guidelines for prevention, detection and treatment of iron deficiency http://www.ironpanel.org.au/AIS/AISdocs/labq1ab.htm
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
The MCV is measured directly; the unit is a femtoliter. The MCV measures the size of RBC's and is the most important index for classification of anemias into "macrocytic" with higher than normal MCV and "microcytic" with low MCV
If cases of lead poisoning and the anemias of infection, chronic inflammatory disease, and thalassemia minor can be excluded, a low MCV serves as a specific index for iron-deficiency anemia