Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Cell Hemoglobin

January 28, 2023Hematology Lab Tests

Table of Contents

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin

Sample for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin

This test is done on blood in EDTA (anticoagulant).

Indication for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin

It is done as part of blood indices.
It is done to diagnose anemia. It has limited value in diagnosing anemia.

Precaution for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin

Keep in mind that the abnormal size of the RBC may affect the value.
The presence of cold agglutinins gives a false raised value.
Raised WBC count also affects the value.

Definition of Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is obtained by dividing hemoglobin by RBC count.
It represents the average amount of hemoglobin/RBCs.

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) Calculation

This is the mean of the weight of average hemoglobin in one RBC.

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)

MCH and MCHC values are used to determine the hemoglobin contents in the RBCs.
MCH adds very little value to other blood indices.

NORMAL

Source 1

Age	pg/cell
Fetal blood
18 to 20 weeks	43.14 ± 2.7
21 to 22 weeks	41.39 ± 3.32
23 to 25 weeks	40.48 ± 2.88
26 to 30 weeks	37.04 ± 3.67
Infants and Child
Cord blood	31 to 37
0.5 month	30 to 37
0ne month	29 to 36
2 month	27 to 34
4 month	25 to 32
6 month	24 to 30
9 month	25 to 30
12 month	24 to 30
1 to 2 year	22 to 30
3 to 5 year	25 to 31
6 to 8 year	25 to 31
9 to 11 year	26 to 32
	Male	Female
12 to 14 year	26 to 32	26 to 32
15 to 17 year	27 to 32	26 to 34
18 to 44 year	27 to 37	27 to 34
45 to 64 year	27 to 35	27 to 34
65 to 74 year	27to 34	27 to 35

Source 2

Adult = 27 to 31 pg (picogram).
Newborn = 32 to 34 pg (picogram)

Another source

26 to 34 pg

Interference for estimation of Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH):

Lipemia.
Cold agglutinins.
Increased white blood cells (Leucocytosis = >50,000/cmm).
In vivo hemolysis.
In case of high concentration of heparin.
Monoclonal proteins in the blood.

Increased Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is seen in the following:

Macrocytic anemia and in newborns.

Infants and newborns.

Macrocytic RBCs and hypersegmented polys.

Decreased Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) is seen in:

Microcytic anemia.
Hypochromic anemia.

Microcytic hypochromic RBC

Questions and answers:

Question 1: What is the value of MHC for the diagnosis of anemia?

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Question 2: What is an effect of hemolysis on MCH?