How do you read MCH?

MCH quantifies the amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell. The normal values for MCH are 29 ± 2 picograms (pg) per cell. MCHC indicates the amount of hemoglobin per unit volume. In contrast to MCH, MCHC correlates the hemoglobin content with the volume of the cell.

What is a normal MCH reading?

Normal MCH levels are around 27 to 33 picograms (pg) per cell in adults. These numbers may vary based on the machine used to carry out the test. The numbers are different in young children. A person with a low MCH has concentrations at or below 26 pg per cell.

What is MCH on blood test results?

MCH is short for “mean corpuscular hemoglobin.” It’s the average amount in each of your red blood cells of a protein called hemoglobin, which carries oxygen around your body. It’s possible you’ll learn about MCH when you get a blood test called a CBC (complete blood count).

What level of MCH indicates anemia?

Having MCH levels below 27 picograms/cell is most commonly associated with anemia.

How do you interpret MCV MCH and MCHC?

When the MCV is high, they are called macrocytic. When the MCV is low, they are termed microcytic. Erythrocytes containing the normal amount of hemoglobin (normal MCHC) are called normochromic. When the MCHC is abnormally low they are called hypochromic, and when the MCHC is abnormally high, hyperchromic.

How do you read red cell indices?

The indices include: Average red blood cell size (MCV)…What Abnormal Results Mean

MCV below normal. Microcytic anemia (may be due to low iron levels, lead poisoning, or thalassemia).
MCV normal.
MCV above normal.
MCH below normal.
MCH normal.
MCH above normal.

What is a normal MCH level for a woman?

What Is the Normal Range for MCH? On average, your MCH should be between 27.5 to 33.2 picograms (pg) per cell. Women’s MCH may be lower than men’s because women lose blood when they have a period.

What is a low MCH in blood test?

A low MCH value typically indicates the presence of iron deficiency anemia. Iron is important for the production of hemoglobin. Your body absorbs a small amount of iron that you eat in order to produce hemoglobin.

What does it mean if your MCH is low?

What is MCH in blood test low?

Is 32 low for MCHC?

Reference Range. The “normal” range for MCHC can vary somewhat between different labs but is usually between 32 and 36. 3 Some labs have a smaller range of normal, for example, between 33.4 and 35.5.

What does high MCH mean in blood test results?

MCH blood test high. If the MCH value is more than 34 picograms, then it is medically considered the high value of MCV. This abnormal value is associated with macrocytic anemia. In this blood disorder, the amount of RBCs is less, but size of each cell is larger than the normal and each RBC also contains more hemoglobin content than the normal.

What can cause high MCH levels?

High MCH value can often be caused by anemia due to a deficiency of B vitamins, particularly B-12 and folate . Both of these vitamins are required by your body in order to make red blood cells.

What causes high MCH levels?

There are many conditions that can cause high MCH blood test levels. These include vitamin B12 deficiency and thyroid malfunction. When the patient’s blood work reports a high MCH blood test result, the doctor will test the vitamin and hormone levels in the blood to understand the cause of the problem.