MEAN CORPUSCULAR HEMOGLOBIN – MCH
Description
27 – 33 pg
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.
- MCH – defines the weight of hemoglobin in the average RBC. MCH is the average hemoglobin content in a red cell expressed in picograms
- MCH (pg) =[ Hb (g/dl) × 10] ÷ [RBC count in millions/mm3]
- It may be high as 50 pg in macrocytic anemia, or as low as 20 pg or less in hypochromic microcytic anemia
- A subnormal MCH occurs in microcytosis
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
- Megaloblastosis of the bone marrow due to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
- Myelodysplasia
- Liver disease
Decreased level
- Significantly less when microcytosis is associated with hypochromia(decreased concentration of Hb in red cells)
- Seen in iron deficiency and Thalassemia minor
Profile
ALL TEST
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