| Example patient | MCV(fL) | RBC count (×106 per mm3 ) | Mentzer index (MCV/RBC count) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-year-old black child with pallor | 64 | 5.3 | 12 | Mentzer index < 13 suggests thalassemia |
| 2-year-old child who drinks 30 oz of cow's milk daily | 72 | 4.8 | 15 | Mentzer index > 13 suggests iron deficiency |