MCHC Blood Test: What a Low or High MCHC Means

MCHC stands for mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. MedlinePlus explains that it is the amount of haemoglobin relative to the size of the cell per red blood cell, and that it is one of the red blood cell indices reported inside your [CBC](/labs/tests/cbc-test-price). At Marham Lab, ordered separately, it costs Rs 280.

MedlinePlus explains that red blood cell indices are part of the complete blood count and are usually used to help diagnose the cause of anaemia, a condition in which there are too few red blood cells. It lists three.

The distinction between MCH and MCHC confuses almost everyone, and it is simply this. MCH is how much haemoglobin is in the cell. MCHC is how much haemoglobin is in the cell relative to how big the cell is. A large cell can hold plenty of haemoglobin and still be dilute.

MedlinePlus explains that haemoglobin transports oxygen, that red cells carry haemoglobin and oxygen to your body's cells, and that the indices measure the size and haemoglobin of those cells so results can be used to diagnose different types of anaemia.

MedlinePlus gives MCHC as 32 to 36 grams of haemoglobin per decilitre, or 320 to 360 grams per litre.

For the other two it gives MCV as 79 to 95 femtolitres, and MCH as 26 to 33 picograms per cell for females and 27 to 33 for males.

It adds that these are common measurements, that normal value ranges may vary slightly among different labs, that some labs use different measurements or may test different samples, and that you should talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific results. Read the range printed on your own report.

MedlinePlus maps the indices onto types of anaemia. On haemoglobin content it states:

MCH below normal means hypochromic anaemia, which it says is often due to low iron levels.

MCH normal means normochromic anaemia, which may be due to sudden blood loss, long-term diseases, kidney failure, aplastic anaemia or man-made heart valves.

MCH above normal means hyperchromic anaemia, which may be due to low folate or vitamin B12 levels, or chemotherapy, or liver disease.

Hypochromic means the cells are pale, which is what low haemoglobin concentration looks like under a microscope. In Pakistan a pale, small-celled picture usually means iron deficiency or thalassemia trait, and separating those two is the whole point of the workup. See our [MCV page](/labs/tests/mcv-blood-test) for that distinction, since MCV is the index that does most of the work there.

MedlinePlus states that no special preparation is necessary. No fasting is needed.

A blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. MedlinePlus notes that when the needle is inserted some people feel moderate pain while others feel only a prick or stinging, and that afterwards there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise which soon goes away. In Lahore the sample can be collected at your home at no extra cost.