Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
Introduction
MCHC is calculated as Hb divided by Hct.
Normal Range
32-38 %
Indications
For laboratory quality control, chiefly because changes occur very late in the course of iron deficiency when anemia is severe and for instrument calibration.
Increased in
Hereditary spherocytosis (MCHC is > 36 gm/dL), infants and newborns, other causes due to automated cell counters are hemolysis, cold agglutinins, lipemia, rouleaux or RBC agglutinates.
Decreased in
Hypochromic anemia (Low MCHC may not occur in iron deficiency anemia when measured with automated instruments), marked leukocytosis (automated cell counter).
