MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION – MCHC
Description
30-37 g/dl (or %)
Clinical significance
- From the estimated Hb content, PCV and red cell count, it is possible to derive other values, which indicate the red cell volume, hemoglobin content and concentration in the red cells. These values are commonly referred to as the red blood cell indices.
- MCHC – defines the hemoglobin concentration or colour of the average RBC. MCHC is an expression of the average hemoglobin concentration per unit volume of packed red cells. It is expressed as g/dl or percent.
- MCHC (%) = [ {Hb (g/100 ml)} ÷ {PCV/100 ml} ] × 100
- An MCHC above 40% indicates errors in the instrument or the calculation of the manual measurements used, as an MCHC value of 37% is near the upper limit for Hb solubility. This limits the physiologic upper limit of the MCHC.
- MCHC is more reliable index than other indices as it does not involve RBC count for its calculation
- In Hypochromic anemias, the Hb concentration is reduced and values as low as 20-25 % are not uncommon.
- Subnormal MCHC indicates the abnormality where interference with Hb formation is more than that of other constituents of red cells.
When to get tested
- As a part of Complete Blood count
- When there is s/s of anemia (weakness or fatigue, Lack of energy, fainting, pallor, shortness of breath, irregular heart beat)
- When there is s/s suggesting an infection or inflammation
Elevated level
- Auto immune hemolytic Anemia
- Burns
- Increased MCHC reflects dehydration of the red cells, commonly seen in spherocytosis
Decreased level
- Commonly seen in Iron deficiency or Thalassemia
Profile
Complete Blood Count
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