Normal MCH level in the blood

Each laboratory must establish its own normal ranges for MCH in the blood. These ranges depend on the makeup of the local population, the technologies used and the accuracy of the measurement. There may be also slight differences in the normal levels according to age, gender, race or ethnic origin, geographic region, diet, type of sample and other relevant status.

Your doctor will study the results along with your medical record, screenings, physical condition, symptoms and any other relevant information about your situation.

MCH is the acronym of Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin. MCH is a measure of the average weight of Hb (Hemoglobin) per RBC (Red Blood Cell).

Hemoglobin is the main protein present in the RBCs (Red Blood Cell) and it gives RBC its characteristic red color.

Hemoglobin is the responsible to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues and transport back the carbon dioxide to the lungs to be exhaled in the respiratory process.

If MCH is below the normal range is called hypochromia. In case of hypochromia, there is a deficiency of hemoglobin and RBCs appear paler than normal.

If MCH is above the normal range is called hyperchromia. The excess of hemoglobin causes a more intense reddish color in RBCs.

MCH test is useful in case of anemia, when the hemoglobin value is below the normal range. MCH test is used to discern between different types of anemia.

Besides, MCH values usually correlate with MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) values. Macrocytic anemias (MCV high) are usually hyperchromic and microcytic anemias (MCV low) are usually hypochromic. The reason is that large red blood cells have a lot of hemoglobin inside and small red blood cells have less hemoglobin than normal.

A high MCH is usually seen in the case of macrocytic anemia, for example megaloblastic anemia (due to vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency). A low MCH is usually seen in the case of iron-deficiency anemia, thalassemia or sideroblastic anemia.

The following values are considered to be normal values:

IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in pg (picograms). They are an example of a healthy woman of about 45 years old with no known disease and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.