Heterozygous vs. Homozygous: Definitions and Differences
Understanding MCHC Blood Test Results
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a measurement of the amount of hemoglobin a red blood cell has relative to the cell's volume. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Measuring hemoglobin through an MCHC blood test can help determine whether you have a medical condition; MCHC levels that are too low or high can signal several different conditions.
MCHC is a standard measurement in the diagnosis of anemia, a condition marked by low levels of red blood cells that can cause tiredness or weakness. An MCHC test is generally also performed to help diagnose and monitor other conditions, including sickle cell disease, hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and hematology, among others.
MCHC is one of the measurements taken during a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC is a common blood test that measures many parts of your blood. It is a routine blood test, so your healthcare provider will likely order one about once a year. They might also order one to help them diagnose or monitor certain conditions. You might hear a complete blood count be referred to as a full blood count. Once your CBC test results are ready, you and your provider will be able to see your MCHC. The normal range for MCHC is 32 to 36 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or 320 to 360 grams per liter (g/L). Since different laboratories might use different measurements or blood samples, you should talk with your healthcare provider about what a normal range is for you. A low MCHC measurement is known as hypochromia. It indicates that you have a lower concentration of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. Having less hemoglobin reduces your blood's capacity to carry oxygen to your organs and tissues. A high MCHC measurement is known as hyperchromia. It indicates that you have a higher concentration of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. This can increase your chances of developing various health complications such as blood clots. An MCHC that is below or above the normal range can develop for a number of reasons. MCHC levels below the normal range can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia develops when you don't have enough iron in your body, which you need to make red blood cells. A lack of iron can impact the production of healthy red blood cells and, thus, your MCHC levels. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. It can develop when there is: Chronic inflammation: Conditions that cause long-lasting inflammation can make it hard for your body to use iron. Kidney disease: With this, your kidneys don't make enough erythropoietin, a hormone needed to make red blood cells. Trouble absorbing iron: This can be the effect of endurance sports, digestive conditions, and certain genetic conditions. Low MCHC can also be due to thalassemia. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body does not make enough hemoglobin. It can also be due to pancytopenia, which is a combination of your body not producing enough red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (leukopenia), and platelets (thrombocytopenia). A high MCHC can also be due to anemia, depending on the type of anemia you have. Hemolytic anemia may lead to an MCHC measurement above the normal range. Hemolytic anemia develops when red blood cells break down faster than they can be replaced. This type of anemia can happen for several reasons, including: Higher-than-normal MCHC results may also be attributable to hereditary spherocytosis, a rare genetic condition in which the body makes abnormally shaped red blood cells. Editor's Note: Even if your MCHC is within a normal range, it is still possible to have a certain type of anemia. With normocytic normochromic anemia, the circulating red blood cells are the same size (normocytic) and have a normal red color (normochromic). This type of anemia can develop for multiple reasons, including acute blood loss and kidney disease. A healthcare provider will perform an MCHC blood test by drawing blood as part of a CBC. No preparation is needed prior to a CBC. However, if your healthcare provider has ordered other tests in addition to a CBC, you may need to fast for several hours before that test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. Using a small needle, a blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. The small amount of blood that the needle takes is collected into a vial. As the needle goes in or out, you may feel a slight sting. The entire process usually takes less than five minutes. After the test, you may experience bruising or mild pain where the needle was inserted. You might also feel dizzy for a brief period of time. Related Blood Tests MCHC is just one measurement of red blood cells included in a CBC. A CBC includes other tests to measure the size, shape, and quality of your red blood cells. Together, these measurements are called red blood cell indices. The indices can help diagnose anemia. Besides MCHC, other red blood cell indices are: Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): Measures of the average size of your red blood cells Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH): Measures the average amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell Red cell distribution width (RDW): Measures differences in the volume and size of your red blood cells If your MCHC is above or below the normal range, your healthcare provider will likely talk with you about potential causes and, if needed, treatment plans to address the cause. Any treatment plan would depend on what condition is causing your abnormal MCHC readings. Anemia is usually what's associated with abnormal MCHC levels. If anemia is the cause of your low or high MCHC levels, your healthcare provider will want to figure out what is causing your anemia and treat that cause. Treatments for anemia and the conditions that cause it may include: Blood or bone marrow transplant Blood transfusion Dietary supplements Medication Low levels of MCHC have been shown to be associated with poorer outcomes among people hospitalized with acute heart attack or acute pulmonary embolism. Low MCHC levels may help predict the outcome of certain cases of heart attack or pulmonary embolism. It is possible that your MCHC reading was incorrect. Since your MCHC is calculated by the amount of hemoglobin in your red blood cells, anything that temporarily affects your hemoglobin levels can also alter your MCHC results. These include: Blood transfusion: The hemoglobin levels from the blood in the transfusion may have been high, thus temporarily giving you high hemoglobin. Hyperbilirubinemia: This is characterized by high bilirubin levels. Bilirubin is the substance that's created when your body breaks down red blood cells. High bilirubin levels could indicate liver disease, gallstones, hemolytic anemia, and Gilbert's syndrome. Infections: Certain infections, such as cytomegalovirus and pneumonia, can cause red blood cells to clump together, which can make hemoglobin levels appear high. Lipidemia: An excess of fat particles (lipids) in your blood can cause a mistakenly high hemoglobin measurement. Mishandling of your blood test: It is possible (although unlikely) that your blood specimen was mishandled. This is more likely if your blood test had to be transferred to another location, prolonging its exposure to varying temperatures and delaying the processing time. Plasma transfusion: Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, separate from red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. If you recently had a plasma transfusion, your plasma levels may temporarily be higher than normal, in turn lowering your hemoglobin levels. The MCHC is a measurement of the amount of hemoglobin a red blood cell has relative to the size of the cell. MCHC below or above the normal limit may be a sign of anemia, meaning you do not have enough healthy red blood cells. MCHC is a test that is part of a CBC. Your healthcare provider may order a CBC as part of a routine exam or if you have symptoms of anemia, a family history of a blood disorder, or a diet low in iron. The test is quick and requires no preparation. Depending on your results, your healthcare provider might talk to you about the potential cause of a high or low reading. Depending on any symptoms you may have and your past medical history, they will likely talk to you about treatment options to address your anemia.What To Know About Red Blood Cells
Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs around the body. They then carry carbon dioxide from around the body back to the lungs.
These cells are an important component of blood. However, a range of conditions can cause problems with how red blood cells work or how many are in the bloodstream.
This article explores what red blood cells are in more detail. It also lists some disorders that affect them, discusses red blood cell counts, and answers some common questions.
Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, begin as immature cells in the bone marrow. After about 7 days of maturation, they make their way into the bloodstream. Each red blood cell lives for roughly 120 days.
They are red in color and shaped like a disk, with a flat center that causes a slight indentation in the middle. They are the most abundant type of cell in the blood.
Red blood cells have no nucleus and can easily change shape. This helps them fit through various blood vessels throughout the body.
What do they do?These cells contain a protein that healthcare professionals call hemoglobin, which helps them carry oxygen around the body.
After a person breathes in oxygen using their lungs, the red blood cells collect this oxygen from the lungs and carry it through the bloodstream to different cells around the body.
The red blood cells also collect carbon dioxide from the body's cells and carry it back to the lungs. A person then exhales this carbon dioxide.
This section explores a variety of red blood cell disorders.
AnemiaAnemia is a condition that occurs when the number of red blood cells in a person's bloodstream, or the hemoglobin concentration within these cells, is lower than usual.
If a person has anemia, their red blood cells have a decreased ability to carry oxygen to the body's cells via the bloodstream.
This may cause the following symptoms:
If a person develops severe anemia, they may experience:
Sickle cell diseaseSickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of disorders that affect a person's red blood cells from birth.
With SCD, an issue with hemoglobin causes the red blood cells to become hard and sticky. It also causes the cells to become C-shaped, similar to a farm tool called a sickle.
Sickle-shaped cells die early, causing a person to have a continual shortage of red blood cells. The cells can also become stuck in blood vessels, which can disrupt the flow of blood.
Common symptoms of SCD include:
Polycythemia is a condition that causes a person to develop an unusually high number of red blood cells in their body.
According to the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS), this can cause a person's blood to become thicker, slowing the blood flow.
Some people with polycythemia do not experience symptoms. However, signs of the condition may include:
The NHS recommends people speak with a healthcare professional if these symptoms persist.
ThalassemiaThalassemia is an inherited disorder in which a person's body does not make enough hemoglobin.
This causes the red blood cells to function unusually and live for a shorter period, leading to fewer healthy red blood cells in the bloodstream.
People with moderate and severe thalassemia often learn they have the condition in childhood. This is generally because they experience symptoms of severe anemia early in life.
A person with a less severe form of thalassemia may only discover they have it if they experience symptoms of anemia or a doctor finds they have anemia during a routine blood test.
MalariaMalaria is a potentially life threatening disease that transmits to humans through bites from certain mosquito types.
A parasite causes the infection, and it cannot transmit between people. The parasite multiplies within a person's red blood cells, destroying the cells.
Symptoms of malaria can be mild or life threatening.
Mild symptoms include:
Severe symptoms of malaria include:
A red blood cell count is a blood test that shows how many red blood cells a person has in their blood.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a typical red blood cell count is 5–6 million cells per microliter (cells/mcL) for an adult male and 4–5 million cells/mcL for an adult female.
Several health conditions and other factors can affect a person's red blood cell count, such as:
Below are some of the most common questions and answers about red blood cells.
What is the main function of red blood cells?The main function of red blood cells is to transport gases throughout the body.
Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to cells around the body. They also collect carbon dioxide from the body's cells and transport it back to the lungs. A person then exhales the carbon dioxide.
What raises a person's red blood cell count?A person may raise their red blood cell count by eating foods containing iron, such as red meat and green leafy vegetables, or taking iron supplements.
According to the NHS, other factors that may cause a person's red blood cell count to increase include:
What are the most common blood disorders?There are several different types of blood disorders. Some common ones include:
Red blood cells carry gases around the body. They collect oxygen from the lungs and transport it to the cells around the body. They then collect carbon dioxide from the cells around the body and transport it back to the lungs.
Several red blood cell disorders can decrease the effectiveness of a person's red blood cells. These include anemia, polycythemia, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and malaria.
A person should speak with a healthcare professional if they experience any symptoms that may indicate a red blood cell disorder.
What Is A Normal Hematocrit Level?
Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in a person's blood. A typical hematocrit range in adults is 36–54%. However, age, sex, and health conditions can influence hematocrit levels.
Low red blood cell levels can indicate conditions such as anemia. High red blood cell levels often signals dehydration, but could indicate other conditions, such as polycythemia, increasing a person's chance of developing a blood clot.
If a person feels tired, dizzy, or short of breath, a doctor may want to test their hematocrit levels to see if those levels fall into the typical range.
This article explains hematocrit levels, including symptoms of abnormal levels and what low or high levels might indicate.
Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the body, relative to the whole blood. For example, if a person has 50 milliliters (ml) of red blood cells in 100 ml of blood, their hematocrit level is 50%.
Whole blood includes plasma, proteins, and other cells, including white blood cells and platelets.
Red blood cells transport oxygen around the body and give blood its characteristic red color.
They also contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen molecules. This allows red blood cells to pick up oxygen from the lungs and deliver it throughout the body.
An adequate amount of red blood cells is essential to keep the body's processes running smoothly.
A doctor can use a hematocrit test to diagnose certain health conditions or monitor aspects of treatment. Doctors may test hematocrit levels as part of a complete blood count (CBC).
A CBC involves a range of tests and may include:
A doctor may request a hematocrit test to monitor a person with suspected blood loss, or for someone undergoing treatment for anemia or polycythemia.
A doctor will also consider a person's sex, race, and age because certain blood-related conditions, such as sickle-cell anemia, affect particular demographic groups at higher rates.
According to a 2022 research article investigating routine blood test results of adult men in various regions of China, ethnic factors can affect hematocrit levels and require further research and adjustment.
High and low hematocrit levels can be detrimental to a person's health and result from various conditions and lifestyle factors.
What is a normal hematocrit level?Different institutions will define typical hematocrit levels differently. However, the following ranges are typical for certain ages:
Newborn babies have high hematocrit levels that slowly decrease over the neonatal period.
If a person has recently received a blood transfusion, it may affect their results. Additionally, pregnant people may have lower levels than usual because the body has more fluid, reducing the percentage of red blood cells.
Other factors, such as smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may push levels into a higher range.
Low levelsHealthcare professionals may consider the following hematocrit levels as low:
A level under this value can signify chronic anemia.
High levelsHealthcare professionals may consider the following hematocrit levels as high:
Hematocrit levels above the typical ranges can have adverse effects or indicate underlying health conditions.
Accuracy of resultsResults from hematocrit tests are typically accurate and provide a clear reading of a person's red blood cell levels.
However, lifestyle factors and environmental changes can affect the percentage of red blood cells in someone's blood. For example, red blood cell counts tend to increase at high altitudes.
Dehydration may also raise hematocrit levels, so this test is useful if a doctor suspects severe dehydration is causing a person's symptoms.
A person with low hematocrit levels may have the following symptoms:
These symptoms can indicate anemia, a condition where hemoglobin levels are low. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body.
CausesMild anemia is more common in females, pregnant people, and older adults. Severe anemia could signal a more serious underlying health condition that requires more extensive treatment.
Doctors associate anemia with several health conditions, including:
A person with high hematocrit levels may experience the following symptoms:
These symptoms can signal polycythemia, a condition where the body produces too many red blood cells. This means blood is thicker and clots more easily.
Doctors cannot cure polycythemia, so treatment focuses on symptom management. The main goal is to avoid stroke and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot usually occurring in a deep vein in the leg.
CausesDehydration increases hematocrit levels, since the liquid portion of the blood is less. When a person does not drink enough, their plasma levels drop, increasing the proportion of red blood cells in their blood volume.
A person can lower their red blood cell count by rehydrating.
Increased hematocrit does not always indicate polycythemia. However, in polycythemia, there is a higher number of red blood cells due to the following conditions:
A person should speak with a doctor if they experience symptoms of high or low hematocrit levels, including fatigue, weakness, vision problems, and dizziness.
These symptoms can also indicate an underlying condition, so a person must contact a doctor promptly to prevent future complications.
If a person is receiving treatment that affects their red blood cell count, a doctor should perform regular hematocrit tests. This may include chemotherapy and treatment for polycythemia and all types of anemia.
Below are some common questions about hematocrit levels.
What does a hematocrit level tell a person?A person's hematocrit level explains the percentage of red blood cells in their blood. High or low levels can indicate underlying health conditions, such as anemia, dehydration, or polycythemia.
What happens if hematocrit is low?Low hematocrit levels could indicate anemia. This may cause symptoms such as:
High levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin could indicate polycythemia, which could cause symptoms such as:
Hematocrit is the percentage of blood cells in a person's blood volume. A low hematocrit level means there are too few red blood cells in the body. In these cases, a person may experience symptoms that signal anemia.
If a person has too many red blood cells, they have a high hematocrit level. A person may experience dizziness and headaches, which can be a sign of the condition polycythemia.
Demographic and lifestyle factors can influence a person's hematocrit levels. Certain health conditions can also affect hematocrit levels. Excessive bleeding, thalassemia, and kidney disease may cause low levels, while COPD and sickle cell anemia can cause high levels.
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