What is Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) in Blood Test? What is High and Low Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) Value? Causes & Treatment?
- Health Garden
- Feb 27, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 19, 2024
MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) is a blood test that shows the average amount of hemoglobin found in red blood cells.
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
When MCH value is evaluated together with the mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) value, it also provides information about the size of the red blood cell.
While low MCH can be a symptom of different diseases, especially anemia, high MCH can also be a symptom of liver diseases and overactive thyroid.
What is A Normal MCH Level in Blood Test ?
The normal MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) level in a blood test is between 27-31 picograms (pg.). However, since this range may vary from laboratory to laboratory, it is necessary to pay attention to the reference ranges determined by the laboratory when evaluating the MCH result.
If the MCH value is below or above normal according to the reference range specified in the test result, a doctor should be consulted and further tests should be performed if necessary.
What is High MCH Value in Blood Test?
A high MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) value in a blood test is above the upper limit. This is defined as more than 31 pg.
Normally, high MCH does not cause any symptoms at first and is usually detected incidentally during a blood test.
High MCH should be taken into consideration and treated as it can cause serious health problems.
What Causes High MCH Level in Blood Test?
The most common cause of high MCH is B12 or folate deficiency. A deficiency of B12 or folic acid prevents erythrocytes from developing normally, resulting in larger than normal red blood cells. Larger red blood cells carry more hemoglobin than normal, causing the MCH to rise. Some of the reasons that cause MCH elevation include:
B12 or folic acid deficiency: A deficiency of B12 and folic acid in the body prevents red blood cells from forming normally and can cause high MCH.
Alcoholism: Chronic alcohol consumption can cause abnormal growth of red blood cells, resulting in an elevation of MCH.
Liver disease: Deterioration of liver functions causes changes in the production of red blood cells and elevation of MCH occurs.
Hemoglobinopathies: Since hemoglobinopathies are diseases caused by genetic changes in hemoglobin molecules, the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells may increase and MCH elevation may occur.
Other diseases: MCH elevation may also be associated with other blood diseases such as leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, hemolytic anemia, thalassemia.
In addition to all these, high cholesterol and high triglyceride values may cause high MCH in the blood. In this regard, the doctor will make a more accurate analysis based on the test results.
High MCH Symptoms
It is not uncommon to experience symptoms in cases of high MCH. Since high MCH is a sign of macrocytic anemia, symptoms such as the following may occur:
Blood clotting
Blurred vision
Dizziness
Headache
Itching
Mouth sores
Numbness and tingling
Palpitation
Pale skin
Forgetfulness
Lack of concentration
Nails breaking
In addition, conditions such as decreased appetite, shortness of breath, weight loss and diarrhea may also be among the symptoms of high MCH.
How to Treat High MCH Level?
Treatment of high MCH is determined by the cause.
If there is B12 or folate deficiency, vitamin supplements are used.
If it is caused by excessive alcohol consumption, alcoholism treatment is applied.
If it is caused by other diseases, MCH elevation can be eliminated by treating these diseases. For example, in inherited blood diseases such as spherocytosis, treatment is carried out by blood transfusion or surgical intervention through splenectomy to prevent elevation of MCH.
Since high or low MCH levels can cause serious health problems if left untreated, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible in the presence of symptoms.
What is Low MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) Value in Blood Test?
Low MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) value in the blood is a value below the lower reference value. This is defined as less than 27 pg.
When the MCH value is 26 pg. or lower, red blood cells become smaller and discolored.
Low MCH, which can occur due to many reasons, should be taken into consideration as it can cause serious health problems in the body.
What Causes Low MCH Level in Blood Test?
We can explain these reasons for low MCH as follows:
Iron deficiency anemia: It is one of the most common types of anemia, which causes the inability to produce enough hemoglobin in red blood cells. When not enough iron is consumed, not enough hemoglobin is produced and therefore MCH is low.
Thalassemia: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disease that causes the blood to contain less hemoglobin than normal. In thalassemia, red blood cells contain less hemoglobin and may be smaller than normal.
Sideroblastic anemia: Sideroblastic anemia is a bone marrow disease that causes the body to fail to produce enough healthy red blood cells. Low MCH occurs because not enough healthy erythrocytes are produced.
Chronic diseases: In some inflammatory chronic diseases, especially cancers and kidney diseases, the body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells and low MCH may occur.
Low MCH Symptoms
Symptoms of low MCH include:
Weakness and fatigue: Due to the inability to carry enough oxygen to the body cells, the energy level decreases and weakness and fatigue may occur.
Pale skin: Low hemoglobin causes skin to appear pale because it discolors erythrocytes.
Shortness of breath: Decreased amount of oxygen in the blood can cause breathing problems and shortness of breath.
Dizziness: Dizziness may occur because not enough oxygen can be carried to the brain.
Heart palpitations: When body cells cannot receive enough oxygen, the heart tries to compensate by beating faster and palpitations occur.
Numbness and tingling: Numbness or tingling can occur when there is not enough oxygen in various parts of the body, such as the hands and feet.
Concentration problems: Since insufficient oxygen levels also impair mental functions, focus and concentration problems may occur.
How to Treat Low MCH Level?
Treatment of low MCH is determined according to the underlying causes, and the low level is eliminated by resolving the cause.
Treatment of iron deficiency anemia is usually achieved by using iron supplements and changing eating habits.
If it is due to a cause such as B12 or folate deficiency, it can be treated by taking the missing vitamins through supplements or foods containing these vitamins.
If left untreated, low MCH can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease and breathing difficulties; Therefore, if you have symptoms, you should consult a doctor and receive treatment as soon as possible.