Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

Sample
- It is done on blood in EDTA (anticoagulant).
- Whole blood stable 6 hours at 25 °C and 24 hours at 4 °C.
- Fetal blood collected by percutaneous umbilical blood.
Indication
- This is part of CBC (Complete blood count).
- This helps to diagnose the type of anemia.
- Mostly advised to diagnose macrocytic anemia.
Pathophysiology
- Definition: This is the measure of the average hemoglobin concentration or percentage of hemoglobin within a single RBCs.
- On the basis of MCHC RBCs may be classified into:
- Normochromic.
- Hypochromic.
- Both MCH and MCHC values are used to determine the content of Hemoglobin in the RBCs.
- If MCHC is normal then RBCs are referred to as normochromic.
- If MCHC is less than normal then RBCs are referred to as hypochromic.
- Hypochromic RBC when Decreased MCHC indicates low hemoglobin.
- The above normal level may be seen in alteration of RBC shape like spherocytosis, Transfusion reaction, and erythroblastosis fetalis.
Interfering factors are:
- The abnormal size of the RBCs may affect the MCHC.
- 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:
- When MCHC is < 30 g/dL.
- Hypochromic anemias :
- Iron deficiency anemia.
- Microcytic anemia.
- Chronic blood loss.
- Thalassemia.
- Hypochromic anemias :
Increased values of MCHC is seen in:
- Spherocytosis.
- Newborn and infants.
- Erythroblastosis fetalis.
- Intravascular hemolysis gives free hemoglobin which is calculated by the autoanalyzer.