What is the difference between MCH and MCHC?

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.

Is it bad if my MCH is high?

You may not feel bad if your MCH is high. But it may be a sign that your red blood cells aren’t dividing the right way. This may cause anemia because you end up with fewer red blood cells. You could have symptoms similar to low MCH.

What is a high MCH level?

What Is High MCH and What Can It Mean? MCH levels over 34 pg are generally considered abnormally high. The most common reason for high MCH is macrocytic anemia, which is a blood disorder in which the body fails to produce enough red blood cells.

What causes elevated MCHC?

You’ll have a high MCHC value if there’s an increased concentration of hemoglobin inside of your red blood cells. Additionally, conditions where hemoglobin is present outside of red blood cells due to red blood cell destruction or fragility can produce a high MCHC value.

What is MCHC in blood?

A similar measure to MCH is something doctors call “mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration” (MCHC). MCHC checks the average amount of hemoglobin in a group of red blood cells. Your doctor may use both measurements to help in a diagnosis of anemia.

How can you lower your MCHC?

Can low MCHC levels be treated?

  1. Increase iron in your diet.
  2. Take iron supplements.
  3. Get more vitamin B6, which is necessary for proper absorption of iron.
  4. Add more fiber to your diet, which can help improve the intestinal absorption of iron.

Does high MCHC mean anemia?

Causes of high MCHC include: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: This is a condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own red blood cells. Sometimes, high MCHC develops on its own, but it can also occur alongside lupus or lymphoma. It can also happen as a result of taking certain medications.

What are the symptoms of high MCH?

If you have a high MCH value, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • shortness of breath.
  • chest pain.
  • fast heartbeat.
  • fatigue or weakness.
  • very pale or yellowish skin.
  • headache.

What causes an elevated MCH?

There are several potential causes of high MCHC. It often occurs in people with conditions that cause the red blood cells to be fragile or easily destroyed. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: This is a condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own red blood cells.

What does elevated MCV and MCh indicate?

Sometimes, slightly elevated levels of MCV and MCH are clinically insignificant but they can also signal a serious underlying problem. An MCV reading that exceeds 100 femtoliters is called macrocytosis, and it can result from several conditions. Macrocytosis that exists alongside anemia is called macrocytic anemia.

What causes elevated MCV and MCh level?

Certain medicines may cause your MCV and MCH levels to go up, including these types: Anticancer Antiretroviral Anticonvulsant Anti-inflammatory Antidiabetic Diuretics

What does high MCV and low MCHC indicate?

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.