Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

Sample

1. It is done on blood in EDTA (anticoagulant).
2. Whole blood stable 6 hours at 25 °C and 24 hours at 4 °C.
3. Fetal blood collected by percutaneous umbilical blood.

Indication

1. This is part of CBC (Complete blood count).
2. This helps to diagnose the type of anemia.
3. Mostly advised to diagnose macrocytic anemia.

Pathophysiology

1. Definition: This is the measure of the average hemoglobin concentration or percentage of hemoglobin within a single RBCs.
   

   MCHC calculation formula

2. On the basis of MCHC RBCs may be classified into:
   1. Normochromic.
   2. Hypochromic.
3. Both MCH and MCHC values are used to determine the content of Hemoglobin in the RBCs.
   1. If MCHC is normal then RBCs are referred to as normochromic.
   2. If MCHC is less than normal then RBCs are referred to as hypochromic.
4. Hypochromic RBC when Decreased MCHC indicates low hemoglobin.
5. The above normal level may be seen in alteration of RBC shape like spherocytosis, Transfusion reaction, and erythroblastosis fetalis.

Interfering factors are:

1. The abnormal size of the RBCs may affect the MCHC.
2. Increased level of lipids in the blood gives a high result because of high hemoglobin.

Normal

Source 1

Age	g Hb/dL
Fetal blood
18 to 20 weeks	32.0 ± 2.3
21 to 22 weeks	31.7 ± 2.78
23 to 25 weeks	32.1 ± 3.20
26 to 30 weeks	32.1 ± 3.60
Cord blood	30 to 36
0.5 month	28 to 35
0ne month	28 to 36
2 month	28 to 35
4 month	29 to 37
6 to 12 month	32 to 37
1 to 2 year	32 to 38
3 to 11 year	32 to 37
	Male	Female
12 to 14 year	32 to 37	32 to 37
15 to 17 year	32 to 36	32 to 36
18 to 44 year	32 to 37	32 to 36
45 to 64 year	32 to 36	31 to  36
65 to 74 year	31 to 36	32 to 36

• To convert into SI unit x 10 = g Hb/L

Source 2

• Adult = 32 to 36 g/dL or 32 to 36%
• Newborn = 32 to 33 g/dL or 32 to 33%.

Normal MCHC values seen in:

• Normochromic anemia (hemolytic anemias).

Decreased values of MCHC seen in:

1. When MCHC is < 30 g/dL.
   1. Hypochromic anemias :
      1. Iron deficiency anemia.
      2. Microcytic anemia.
      3. Chronic blood loss.
      4. Thalassemia.

Increased values of MCHC is seen in:

1. Spherocytosis.
2. Newborn and infants.
3. Erythroblastosis fetalis.
4. Intravascular hemolysis gives free hemoglobin which is calculated by the autoanalyzer.

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