Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a measurement of the average amount of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell (RBC) as it relates to the volume of the cell. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body, which supports the development and function of
organs and tissues. The MCHC test is one of a panel of tests called the red blood cell indices, which help to define different physical characteristics of red blood cells. As an assessment of the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, the MCHC test along with the other RBC indices can be used to diagnose and classify disorders that affect the blood, like anemia. The purpose of a mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration test is to evaluate whether red blood cells are carrying an appropriate amount of hemoglobin. MCHC is one of several measurements that are used to assess the function and health of red blood cells in order to check for signs of anemia and other blood disorders. The MCHC test is one of the red blood cell indices, which are a collection of tests that provide information about certain
characteristics of red blood cells like their size, shape, and quality. The RBC indices are part of a complete blood count (CBC) which collectively include: The results
of MCHC and the other RBC indices are used to diagnose and classify different types of anemia. The MCHC test measures the concentration of hemoglobin in a red blood cell relative to the size of the cell itself. MCHC is a calculation that helps describe how much space inside of each red blood cell is made of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that plays a vital role in supporting overall health. Carried by red
blood cells, hemoglobin delivers oxygen to organs and tissues throughout the body and carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs where it can be exhaled. MCHC is measured during a complete blood count (CBC), a common test that analyzes the quality of your blood. A CBC is usually part of a routine health examination and is an important test for diagnosing and monitoring a wide variety of diseases and conditions. MCHC
and other red blood cell indices on a CBC are evaluated carefully if you have signs or symptoms of anemia. Anemia is a common blood disorder in which the body is not producing enough healthy red blood cells, a condition that limits how much oxygen is delivered to organs and tissue. Anemia can be mild or severe, depending upon the underlying cause of the condition and the progression of the disease. Some signs and symptoms of mild anemia develop over time and may include: Signs that anemia is progressing may include: Finding an MCHC TestHow to get testedAn MCHC test is part of a blood panel called a complete blood count. The complete blood count generally requires a full blood draw to produce accurate MCHC test results and is usually conducted by a licensed professional in a healthcare setting. If you are concerned about your health and feel as though an MCHC test might be appropriate, contact your healthcare provider. Can I take the test at home?There are options for at-home complete blood count testing that include MCHC and the RBC indices. At-home test kits include instructions and tools for collecting a blood sample. When you are ready, you can mail or sample to a laboratory for analysis. The results of an at-home CBC are usually ready 2-3 business days after the sample is received and are reported electronically, through an online health portal or by email. At-home CBC test results cannot be used to diagnose or monitor any health condition. Your results must be shared with a health care provider who is familiar with your health history and situation. A traditional blood draw and complete blood count may be recommended by your doctor in order to confirm the results. How much does the test cost?Several factors affect the cost of a complete blood count which includes an MCHC test. The cost can depend where the test is conducted and whether you have health insurance coverage. Additional costs may include copays and/or deductibles. You can ask your doctor or health insurance provider for specific details on the expected costs of a complete blood count.
Taking an MCHC TestThe MCHC test is part of the complete blood count, which is performed on a blood sample collected by a licensed medical professional. A blood sample is drawn into a test tube from a vein, usually from the inside crook of your elbow or the top of your hand. Before the testGenerally, no special preparation is required before carrying out the blood draw for a CBC in order to find MCHC, unless your doctor provides specific instructions. A complete blood count is commonly conducted at the same time as other blood tests. When you are getting more than one blood test, your provider may ask you to not eat anything for a certain amount of time or give other instructions prior to your blood draw. During the testThere are several steps that occur during a needle blood draw that you can expect:
After the testOnce the blood draw is complete, the medical professional will apply a band-aid or cotton swab where the needle went in to prevent bleeding. You will likely be instructed to keep this in place for an hour or more. It is possible that you may experience some slight side effects from the blood draw. It is common for minor bruising, dizziness or lightheadedness to occur after a blood draw. Rarely individuals experience fainting, persistent bleeding, nausea, or tingling of hands or feet. In some cases, your health care provider may ask you to stay seated briefly after the blood draw until they are sure you are safe to walk and/or drive. MCHC Test ResultsReceiving test resultsThe results for your complete blood count and MCHC test can be available within a few days after the blood sample arrives at the laboratory. The time frame may depend upon the laboratory’s equipment and practices You will be able to access a report of your CBC results through an online patient portal or by requesting a copy from your health care provider. Your doctor will review each measurement on your CBC, including MCHC and other red blood cell indices, and describe what the results mean in relation to your health. Interpreting test resultsMCHC is interpreted in comparison to its reference range and also in relation to other red blood cell indices. The reference range is the set of results that are considered to be expected among most healthy adults in a designated population. Reference ranges are established by each laboratory according to their own practices and equipment. MCHC is reported as grams per deciliter (g/dL). The American Board of Internal Medicine lists a typical MCHC reference range as 33-36 g/dL. The MCHC result is compared to other RBC indices and measurements on a CBC in order to diagnose anemia and determine the underlying cause. MCHC results in patients with anemia are categorized as follows:
MCHC is generally not interpreted separately from other blood values. In order to be a meaningful diagnostic test, it must be compared with RBC indices collectively. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results. Are test results accurate?The MCHC test is part of a routine panel of blood tests called the complete blood count. The CBC is one of the most common blood tests and is generally considered accurate and precise according to modern laboratory methods. The CBC is a broad test that measures different features of your blood. Because there are many factors and conditions that can affect your blood, it is possible to have abnormal results on a CBC that don’t necessarily mean that you have a current or developing health problem. It is also possible to have results within the reference range that indicate a developing problem. For these reasons your health care provider is in the best position to interpret the results of your CBC and MCHC blood draw. Occasionally laboratory test results come back that are not what the health care provider expected. In that case, they may conduct a follow-up test if they deem it necessary to verify the initial results. You can talk with your health care team to learn more about the accuracy and significance of a CBC test and your MCHC results in your specific case. Do I need follow-up tests?Depending on your doctor’s assessment of your MCHC and CBC results, additional follow-up testing may be recommended. Additional blood tests, other laboratory tests, and possibly imaging tests may be needed to learn more about the cause of an abnormal MCHC. Based on your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other tests, follow-up testing will be tailored to your specific situation. Your health care provider is in the best position to address questions about the purpose of any follow-up testing. Questions for your doctor about test resultsYour MCHC levels may have some implications for your health. If you decide to discuss your results with your health care provider, the following questions may be helpful:.
Related TestsMCHC test vs. complete blood count (CBC)Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration analyzes the average amount of hemoglobin as it relates to the volume of a red blood cell. MCHC is a useful measurement when assessing how well your red blood cells are carrying oxygen. It is part of a collection of tests known as the red blood cell indices. The complete blood count is a panel of blood tests that includes MCHC and the RBC indices. The CBC is a broad panel of measurements allows your health care provider to analyze the amount of cells in your blood including:
The CBC also analyzes other characteristics of your blood, including
MCHC test vs. other red blood cell indicesRed blood cell indices are a set of measurements on a CBC that provide information about how well your red blood cells are performing. MCHC is the amount of hemoglobin in an individual red blood cell in relation to the size of the red blood cell. The other RBC indices include the following tests:
Related ContentView SourcesA.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. RBC indices. Updated January 13, 2020. Accessed September 27, 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003648.htm A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Anemia. Updated February 6, 2020. Accessed September 27, 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000560.htm American Board of Internal Medicine. ABIM laboratory test reference ranges ̶ July 2021. Updated July 2021. Accessed October 3, 2021. https://www.abim.org/Media/bfijryql/laboratory-reference-ranges.pdf Braunstein EM. Evaluation of anemia. Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Updated September 2020. Accessed October 29, 2021. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hematology-and-oncology/approach-to-the-patient-with-anemia/evaluation-of-anemia Center for Disease Control. Blood and urine collection. Accessed Oct 25, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/nhanes_09_10/labcomp_f.pdf George TI. Automated hematology instrumentation. In: Uhl L, ed. UpToDate. Updated June 3, 2021. Accessed October 29, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/automated-hematology-instrumentation Kuter DJ. Laboratory tests for blood disorders. Merck Manuals Consumer Edition. Updated June 2021. Accessed September 27, 2021. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/blood-disorders/symptoms-and-diagnosis-of-blood-disorders/laboratory-tests-for-blood-disorders Means, Jr RT, Brodsky RA. Diagnostic approach to anemia in adults. In: Mentzer WC, ed. UpToDate. Updated June 10, 2021. Accessed October 29, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/diagnostic-approach-to-anemia-in-adults MedlinePlus: National Library of Medicine. Red blood cell (RBC) indices. Updated October 5 2021. Accessed October 29, 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/red-blood-cell-rbc-indices/ Mentzer WC. Hereditary spherocytosis. In: Means, Jr RT, ed. UpToDate. Updated June 07, 2021. Accessed October 29, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hereditary-spherocytosis Merritt BY, Curry CV. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) In: Wheeler TM, ed. Updated November 27, 2019. Accessed December 6, 2021. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2054497-overview National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Blood tests. Updated Date unknown. Accessed September 12, 2021. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/blood-tests Rosenthal DS. Congenital neutropenia. In: Brodsky RA, ed. UpToDate. Updated May 17, 2021. Accessed October 29, 2021. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-the-peripheral-blood-smear Ask a Laboratory Scientist This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team. What diseases cause high MCHC?A high MCHC means that hemoglobin is more concentrated in the RBCs than usual and may occur in some type of hemolytic anemia (hereditary spherocytosis, sickle cell disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia) and in severe burns.
What happens if MCHC count is high?Higher than MCHC reference range is called hyperchromic anemia, which may be caused by spherocytosis, a rare hereditary condition in which the body makes abnormally shaped red blood cells. Hyperchromic anemia can also occur when red blood cells abnormally clump together, referred to as RBC agglutination.
Can MCHC increase?The MCV and MCH are increased, while the MCHC remains normal. There is anisocytosis, and RDW is often increased. In the macrocytosis of liver disease, where there is no defect in nuclear maturation, the cells are large due to an excess red cell membrane.
Is MCHC increased in sickle cell?MCHC, when increased, can be useful clinically as an indicator of increased spherocytes (spherocytosis), as in hereditary spherocytosis or autoimmune hemolytic anemia. It is also increased in homozygous sickle cell or hemoglobin C disease.
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