What do MCH and MCHC indicate?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am 24 years old. I want to ask about some results of my blood test I got a few months back and what the numbers mean. I do not recall my doctor mentioning them, but they are listed in the "out of range summary" on the test. What do MCH 34.2 and MCHC 35.6 mean on a blood test, and how should I proceed?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
The MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) levels are part of a standard blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). MCH measures the average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell. The normal range for MCH is typically around 27 to 31 picograms per cell. An MCH value of 34.2 would be considered higher than normal. MCHC measures the concentration of hemoglobin in a given volume of packed red blood cells. The normal range for MCHC is generally between 32 % to 36 %. An MCHC value of 35.6 would be considered within the normal range, though it is at the higher end. An elevated MCH and MCHC can sometimes indicate certain conditions such as macrocytic anemia (where red blood cells are larger than normal). It is important to get further tests or investigations to determine the cause of the elevated MCH.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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