MCH and MCHC, both measured in a Full Blood Count (FBC) test, analyze different aspects of red blood cells (RBCs) and hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein within them. Here's a breakdown of their comparison:
MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin):
What it measures: The average amount of hemoglobin present in a single red blood cell.
Units: Picograms per cell (pg/cell)
Interpretation: Reflects the overall hemoglobin content within individual red blood cells.
High MCH: May indicate macrocytosis (larger red blood cells) due to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
Low MCH: May indicate microcytosis (smaller red blood cells) often seen in iron deficiency anemia.
MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration):
What it measures: The average concentration of hemoglobin relative to the size (volume) of a red blood cell.
Units: Grams per deciliter (g/dL)
Interpretation: Indicates how saturated red blood cells are with hemoglobin.
High MCHC: May suggest spherocytosis (abnormally round red blood cells) or dehydration.
Low MCHC: May indicate hypochromia (red blood cells with less hemoglobin), often a sign of iron deficiency anemia.
Key Difference:
MCH focuses on the quantity of hemoglobin within a single red blood cell.
MCHC focuses on the concentration of hemoglobin relative to the red blood cell's size.
Looking at Both Together:
MCH and MCHC, along with MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume), which reflects the average size of red blood cells, are often evaluated together to provide a more comprehensive picture of red blood cell health and potential underlying conditions like anemia.
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is another measurement included in a Full Blood Count (FBC) test. It specifically looks at the variation in size and volume of your red blood cells.
Here's a breakdown of RDW:
What it measures: The degree of variation in the size of your red blood cells. Ideally, red blood cells should be relatively uniform in size.
Units: Expressed as a percentage (%)
Interpretation: RDW helps identify abnormal variations in red blood cell size.
High RDW: Indicates a larger variation in red blood cell size, which could be a sign of various conditions like iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, or thalassemia.
Normal RDW: Doesn't necessarily rule out anemia, as some types may have normal RDW with abnormal values in other red blood cell indices (like MCH or MCHC).
Understanding RDW results:
Normal range: Generally considered between 11.5% and 15.4%, although slight variations might exist depending on the lab.
High RDW: May warrant further investigation to determine the underlying cause.
RDW in conjunction with other tests:
Similar to MCH and MCHC, RDW is most informative when evaluated alongside other red blood cell indices and your overall health picture. A doctor can interpret the results in context to make a diagnosis.