Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)

What is Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration?

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) measures the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells, expressed as the amount of hemoglobin per unit volume of packed red cells. This calculated value helps assess red blood cell quality and is particularly useful for diagnosing specific types of anemia.

Why is it Tested?

Doctors order MCHC as part of a complete blood count to help classify anemia types, diagnose hereditary blood disorders like thalassemia, and monitor treatment response. MCHC is especially valuable because it’s less affected by cell size variations than other red cell indices.

Normal Ranges

Reference ranges vary by lab, but general adult guidelines:

Adults: 32–36 g/dL

Normal MCHC values indicate that red blood cells have adequate hemoglobin density for optimal oxygen-carrying capacity.

Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

Low MCHC

Low MCHC (hypochromia) typically indicates:

Iron deficiency anemia
Thalassemia (especially thalassemia minor)
Chronic disease anemia
Sideroblastic anemia
Lead poisoning

High MCHC

Elevated MCHC (hyperchromia) may indicate:

Hereditary spherocytosis
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Severe dehydration
Laboratory measurement errors
Certain medications

How to Track Over Time

Tracking MCHC provides reliable monitoring of iron deficiency treatment and helps distinguish between different types of microcytic anemia. MCHC is particularly stable and less influenced by technical factors, making it valuable for detecting subtle changes in red blood cell hemoglobin content over time.

Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration