What is MCHC?
Although closely related, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) are distinct measurements. While MCH represents the average amount of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell, MCHC reflects the hemoglobin concentration in a given unit of packed red blood cells. As with MCV and MCH, calculating the MCHC can help healthcare professionals better assess anemia and other blood disorders.
What are normal value?
MCHC is calculated by multiplying the hemoglobin result from the CBC panel by 100 and then dividing by the hematocrit result.
What does it mean if your Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) result is too low?
Low values are usually associated with:
– Acute or chronic bleeding due to menstruation, physical trauma, surgery, or ulcers, for example
– Cancer
– Decreased oxygen availability
– Deficiency in copper or vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
– Hemolytic anemia
– Iron-deficiency anemia
– Kidney failure
– Lead poisoning
– Removal of the spleen (splenectomy)
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– Rheumatoid arthritis
– Sickle cell anemia
– Thalassemia
Low MCHC is not always a cause for concern. Your doctor will evaluate all of your CBC test results in order to make a clear determination about what is causing your abnormal value.
– Alcoholism
– Certain medications, such as anticonvulsant drugs
– Hemolytic anemia
– Hereditary anemia
– Hypothyroidism
– Intestinal disturbances and malabsorption issues
– Liver disease
– Malnutrition
– Megaloblastic anemia
MCHC may also be higher in pregnant women, but values usually return to normal after giving birth.
