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MCHC blood test stands for mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. It measures the average haemoglobin concentration in a single red blood cell.
The MCHC full form in a blood test is the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. It is used to measure the amount of haemoglobin present in a red blood cell against its volume.
The body needs haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, to carry oxygen. The goal of measuring the average haemoglobin concentration through an MCHC blood test is to analyse if you have a medical condition.
A very low or very high MCHC level can signal different conditions. Please note that MCHC is the standard measurement for diagnosing anaemia, a disorder marked by low levels of red blood cells. Anaemia can lead to weakness or tiredness.
This blog will explain the MCHC meaning in blood tests, explain what are MCHC high causes and what MCHC low means.
What Do the Results of an MCHC Indicate?
MCHC in blood is measured during a complete blood count (CBC). It is a common blood test, and you may have taken it several times before. A healthcare provider may advise you to schedule one for yourself to diagnose or monitor specific conditions. A CBC is sometimes also referred to as a full blood count.
After you get the results of your CBC blood test, you and your provider can view the measurement of MCHC in your blood.
The MCHC normal range is 32 to 36 grams for every decilitre (g/dL) or 320 to 360 grams for every litre (g/L). The reference range varies for different laboratories due to the use of varying measurements or blood samples. Speak to your healthcare professional to understand what the normal range is for you.
Many reasons can lead to an MCHC below or above the normal range.
How to Calculate MCHC Levels?
The calculation of MCHC involves multiplying the haemoglobin level by ten and then dividing it by the hematocrit level. The hematocrit level refers to the volume percentage of red blood cells in your blood. The result is written in grams per litre.
The calculation of MCHC is also done by dividing MCH by mean corpuscular volume (MCV). MCV is the average size of the red blood cells.
So, MCHC = MCH/MCV
When Do You Need to Get an MCHC Blood Test Done?
MCHC is a part of CBC, a blood test conducted frequently to analyse the quality of your blood. CBC is mostly included in routine health examinations and is vital for diagnosing and monitoring different kinds of diseases and conditions.
A healthcare professional evaluates MCHC and other RBC indices if you show symptoms of anaemia. The blood disorder does not let the body produce enough healthy RBCs, thereby limiting how much oxygen circulates to different tissues and organs.
Anaemia can be mild or severe. It depends on the condition’s underlying cause and the disease’s progression. Some symptoms of anaemia develop over time and may include:
- Loss of appetite
- Headaches
- Cognitive problems such as difficulty in thinking or concentrating.
- Numbness and tingling in the feet and hands.
- Feeling fatigued or weak more often than normal.
- Feeling irritable or agitated
The symptoms indicating the progress of anaemia are:
- Unusually pale skin
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Nails that chip, break, or split easily.
- Abnormal or increased menstrual bleeding.
- Blue colour to the whites of the eyes.
- Desire to eat non-food things like dirt or ice.
- A possibly sore or unusually red tongue.
- Being breathless with mild activity or even at rest.
What are Low MCHC Causes?
Iron deficiency anaemia can keep your MCHC results below the MCHC normal range. You develop an iron deficiency when your body does not have sufficient iron, and iron is vital to producing red blood cells. Its lack can affect the production of healthy red blood cells, leading to decreased MCHC.
Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia. Its causes include:
- Kidney disease: If you suffer from a kidney disease, the organ does not make sufficient erythropoietin. Erythropoietin plays a crucial role in making red blood cells.
- Trouble absorbing iron: If you indulge in endurance sports or suffer from digestive conditions or specific genetic disorders, your body may not be able to absorb iron from the foods you eat.
- Chronic inflammation: Your body may not be able to use iron due to conditions causing long-lasting inflammation.
What are High MCHC Causes?
Anaemia can cause high MCHC levels depending on the kind of condition you have. The MCHC measurement tends to be higher than the normal range if you have hemolytic anaemia. The disorder develops when red blood cells are not replaced as fast as they break. Many reasons cause this type of anaemia:
- Infections
- Blood transfusion complications
- Autoimmune disease
- Sickle cell disease
An alarmingly high MCHC result can be linked to hereditary spherocytosis, a rare genetic condition wherein the body produces abnormally shaped red blood cells (RBCs).
What to Expect in The MCHC Blood Test?
An MCHC blood test is performed by drawing blood during a CBC. Here is a brief description of what you need to do before and during the test:
Before the Test
You do not need to take any dietary or activity restrictions before a CBC. You must carry your healthcare provider’s prescription, mentioning the recommendation for a CBC. Moreover, your doctor must have access to your earlier CBC reports for comparison.
During the test
You can get the test done at any clinic or hospital. Before drawing blood, a lab technician will clean the area using an antiseptic. Then, a tourniquet is wrapped for a better view of the veins.
The technician will prick a needle into the vein. You may be asked to tighten your fist before the prick. When the needle enters the vein, you will feel a sharp pain. Pressure will be felt till the needle remains in its place. Some patients start to feel lightheaded and faint due to the needle stick. If you experience any such symptoms, please inform the technician immediately.
Once the sample is drawn, the technician will pull out the needle and ask you to put pressure on the area. After the bleeding stops, a gauze or bandage will be applied to lower the chances of further bleeding.
Conclusion
MCHC, or mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, measures haemoglobin concentration in red blood cells (RBC). It is part of the complete blood count (CBC) test. The purpose of an MCHC blood test is to diagnose anaemia in its preliminary stages.
Typically, the MCHC normal range is between 32 grams and 36 grams per decilitre (g/dL) or 320 grams and 360 grams per litre (g/L). A doctor can use the results of the MCHC test to determine the most appropriate treatment.
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