Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)[edit | edit source]
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) is a laboratory value found on a complete blood count (CBC) that measures the average amount of hemoglobin contained in each red blood cell (RBC). Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. MCH is an important parameter in evaluating an individual's hematologic health, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as anemia and thalassemia.
Calculation[edit | edit source]
MCH is calculated using the formula: \[ \text{MCH (pg)} = \frac{\text{Total Hemoglobin (g/dL)}}{\text{Total number of RBCs (trillions/L)}} \times 10 \] This calculation provides the average weight of hemoglobin per red blood cell in picograms (pg).
Normal Ranges[edit | edit source]
The normal range for MCH typically falls between 27 and 33 picograms per cell. These values can vary slightly depending on the laboratory and the measurement systems used.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
- Anemia: Variations in MCH values can indicate different types of anemia. Low MCH values suggest microcytic anemia, often due to iron deficiency. High MCH values can indicate macrocytic anemia, which may be caused by vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
- Thalassemia: Low MCH values may also suggest thalassemia, a genetic condition affecting hemoglobin production.
- Chronic Illness: MCH levels can be affected by chronic illnesses, with levels varying based on the disease state and its impact on hematologic function.
Diagnosis and Monitoring[edit | edit source]
MCH is used alongside other CBC parameters, such as Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), to diagnose and monitor conditions affecting red blood cells. Changes in MCH values over time can provide valuable information about a patient's response to treatment and disease progression.
Considerations[edit | edit source]
Interpretation of MCH levels must be done in the context of other laboratory findings and the patient's clinical presentation. Factors such as age, gender, and pregnancy can influence MCH values.
See Also[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
| Mean corpuscular hemoglobin Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen
