MCH, short for mean corpuscular hemoglobin, is a measure of the average amount of hemoglobin in each red blood cell. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. MCH is often included as part of a complete blood count (CBC), which is a common blood test that evaluates various components of your blood.
MCH levels can help doctors diagnose various conditions, including anemia.
- High MCH: A high MCH value may indicate macrocytic anemia, where the red blood cells are larger than normal. This can occur due to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
- Low MCH: A low MCH value may indicate microcytic anemia, where the red blood cells are smaller than normal. This can occur due to iron deficiency anemia or other conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, or blood loss.
By measuring MCH, doctors can gain valuable insights into the size and hemoglobin content of your red blood cells, which helps them assess your overall health and potentially identify underlying conditions.
