There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
From the Research
Required Interval Between Initial and Follow-Up MCV Tests
There are no specific studies that directly address the required interval between initial and follow-up Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) tests. However, the provided evidence suggests that MCV values can vary depending on age, sex, and other factors.
MCV Values in Different Age Groups
- A study published in 2021 1 found that MCV values decrease significantly from 2 to 7 months of age and then increase slightly in the last months of the third year of life.
- Another study published in 2020 2 found that low MCV was more common in term infants (25%) compared to preterm infants (17.1%).
- A study published in 2015 3 found that MCV values in infants aged less than 6 months can affect the interpretation of the eosin-5'-maleimide (EMA) test result.
MCV as a Prognostic Factor
- A study published in 2022 4 found that MCV is a simple but strong predictor of postoperative outcomes in obstructive colorectal cancer patients.
- A study published in 2024 5 found that initial macrocytosis (MCV ≥ 100 fL) is independently associated with 30-day mortality in major trauma patients.
Conclusion on Interval
Since there is no direct evidence on the required interval between initial and follow-up MCV tests, it is difficult to provide a specific recommendation. However, the provided evidence suggests that MCV values can vary depending on age, sex, and other factors, and that MCV can be a useful prognostic factor in certain medical conditions.