Have you ever gotten a blood test report, looked at the letters and numbers on it, and thought, "What is this?" It's normal to get a little nervous when you see a lot of names like CBC, MCV, RDW, and MCH. One such value is MCH. Today, we're talking about this MCH value, which tells you a lot of important information about your blood cells.
Simply put, what is MCH?
MCH is short for 'Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin'. This is one of the values in a complete blood count (CBC) that we usually do. It basically measures how much hemoglobin is normally inside one of your red blood cells .
Now you might be wondering, "What is this hemoglobin?" Think of your red blood cells as little trucks that carry oxygen throughout your body. And hemoglobin is the oxygen-packed boxes inside those trucks . These boxes are what actually capture the oxygen, deliver it to every cell in your body, and help give those cells the energy they need. So you can see how important hemoglobin is as a protein.
So the MCH value tells us an idea of how many oxygen tanks are normally inside your red blood cell truck.
Other important red blood cell indices (RBC Indices) like MCH
Your blood report includes not only MCH, but also several other values. Each of these tells you different information about the health of your red blood cells. We call these red blood cell indices (RBC indices). A doctor will look at all of these values when investigating your medical condition, especially a condition like anemia.
| Index | What is simply measured |
|---|---|
| Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) | This measures the average size of your red blood cells. That is, are the cells larger, smaller, or have the same number as normal? |
| Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) | This is similar to MCH, but with a slight difference. It measures the amount of hemoglobin in a red blood cell relative to the size of that cell. That is, how tightly the hemoglobin is packed. |
| Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) | This measures how much your red blood cells vary in size . A healthy person's red blood cells are usually the same size. A high value means that the cells are of different sizes. |
Only by looking at all of these values together can a doctor accurately understand the problem with your blood.
When should you check your MCH value?
MCH is a common part of a complete blood count (CBC). A doctor may order a CBC to check your general health.
But the MCH value is very important, especially if you have symptoms of anemia .
- Constant feeling of extreme fatigue
- Frequent headaches
- Pale skin
- Feeling dizzy
- Difficulty breathing
By looking at the MCH value and other RBC indicators of someone with these symptoms, a doctor can determine whether you have anemia, if so, what type it is, and what the possible cause is.
How do you do this test? Is it a big deal?
This is a very simple, routine blood test, so there is no reason to be afraid.
Do you need to prepare before the test?
You usually don't need to do anything special to prepare for a CBC test. However, if your doctor has ordered other tests to be done on the same blood sample (for example, to check your blood sugar), you may be asked to fast for a few hours. So always follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
What happens during the test?
This is a simple thing that takes less than five minutes.
1. You are made to sit in a chair and asked to extend your hand.
2. A nurse or medical laboratory technician will clean the needle insertion site with alcohol.
3. Then, a rubber band is tied around the upper arm to make the veins more visible.
4. The needle is very gently inserted into the vein and the required amount of blood is collected into a small vial.
5. Then, the needle is removed and a piece of cotton is placed on the area and pressed to stop the bleeding.
Although it felt like a slight electric shock when the needle was inserted, it wasn't very painful.
After the test?
After donating blood, if you don't feel dizzy, you can go home. Some people feel a little uncomfortable when they see blood. This is normal. If that happens, they will take care of you until you feel better.
This is a very safe and common test. You may experience some bruising or mild pain where the needle was inserted, but this usually goes away within a day.
How do I understand the MCH values in the report?
MCH is measured in picograms (pg), a very small amount of weight, about one trillionth of a gram.
The normal range for a healthy MCH level for an adult (both male and female) is 27 pg to 33 pg . However, keep in mind that these values can vary slightly between different laboratories. Therefore, it is important to compare your results with the "normal range" on your report.
A value lower than this range is called "Low MCH" and a value higher than this range is called "High MCH".
But remember this: Don't panic if your MCH value is low or high. It alone doesn't mean you have a serious illness. Your doctor will analyze this along with your other blood values, symptoms, and overall health.
What does low MCH mean?
If your MCH value is lower than normal, it indicates that your red blood cells do not have enough hemoglobin. This can cause your red blood cells to be lighter in color than normal (hypochromic anemia) or smaller than normal (microcytic anemia).
The main reasons for low MCH are:
- Iron deficiency: This is the most common cause of anemia in our country. Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin. When there is not enough iron, hemoglobin production decreases. This condition can occur in women who have heavy menstrual bleeding, due to internal bleeding (e.g. intestinal ulcers), or after surgery.
- Genetic problems with hemoglobin production (Hemoglobinopathies): Some people are born with genetic conditions that prevent their body from making hemoglobin properly. Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are examples of these.
- Chronic illnesses: Inflammation in the body due to conditions such as long-term infections, kidney disease, liver disease, and cancer can interfere with hemoglobin production.
What does high MCH mean?
If your MCH is higher than normal, it means your body is producing larger red blood cells than normal (Macrocytic anemia). These larger cells contain more hemoglobin, but they don't function as efficiently.
The main reasons for high MCH are:
- Vitamin B12 or Folate Deficiency: These two nutrients are essential for our bodies to make healthy red blood cells. Not getting enough of them in our diet or not absorbing them properly can cause red blood cells to become abnormally large.
- Drinking alcohol excessively over a long period of time.
- Thyroid problems: This can be caused by hypothyroidism, in particular.
- Side effects of some medications: For example, chemotherapy for cancer can cause this condition.
What to do next if you have an abnormal MCH value?
This is the most important thing. Never jump to conclusions on your own about whether your report is high or low, or diagnose yourself with a disease based on the internet.
Your doctor will decide what to do next.
- If your MCH is low and you suspect iron deficiency, you may be asked to do further tests to check your body's iron levels.
- If the MCH value is high, you may be asked to check your vitamin B12 and folate levels.
The best thing for you to do is to discuss any questions or concerns you have about your report with your doctor . He or she will review these values in conjunction with your overall health, explain them to you, and prescribe treatment if necessary.
Take-Home Message
- MCH is a normal value found in a complete blood count (CBC). It measures the average amount of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell.
- This value helps doctors diagnose conditions such as anemia.
- Low MCH is often associated with iron deficiency. Genetic diseases such as thalassemia can also be a cause.
- High MCH is often associated with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
- Don't be alarmed if your MCH reading is low or high. It is not a diagnosis in itself.
- Most importantly: Always show your blood test report to your doctor for clarification and further advice.
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