Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

Sample for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

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

Indication for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

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

Definition of Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

1. Definition:
   1. This measures the average hemoglobin concentration or percentage of hemoglobin within a single RBC.

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, caused by low mchc and high MCV.
   2. Then RBCs are referred to as normochromic.
   3. 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 for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) are:

1. False increased MCHC is seen in the following:
   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.
   3. Intravascular hemolysis gives free hemoglobin, which is calculated by the autoanalyzer.
   4. Sickle cell anemia.
   5. Hereditary spherocytosis.
   6. Few cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
   7. Sever lipemia of the serum.
   8. Rouleaux formation or agglutination.
   9. In the case of increased concentration of heparin.
2. Decreased MCHC is seen in marked leucocytosis (>50,000/cmm).

Normal MCHC

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 are seen in the following:

• Normochromic anemia (hemolytic anemias).

Decreased values of MCHC are seen in the following:

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

Increased values of MCHC are seen in the following:

1. Hereditary spherocytosis is suspected when MCHC is >36 g/dL.
2. Newborns and infants.
3. Erythroblastosis fetalis.
4. Not an increase in pernicious anemia.

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