Dr.hussein M. M. Sc.

Medical Physiology

RED BLOOD CELL INDECES

(MCV, MCH, MCHC)

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

The average volume of a red cell is found by dividing the volume of red
cells in one litre of blood. This is termed the Mean Corpuscular Volume
(MCV).
PCV
MCV =
No. of R.B.C.s

0.45
Normally, MCV = L = 90 * 10 -15 = 90 femtolitres (fl)
5.0 * 1012
A higher than normal red cell volume indicates that the red cells are
larger than normal, i.e. macrocytosis.
A lower than normal red cell volume indicates that the red cells are
smaller than normal, i.e. microcytosis.

Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH)

The average amount of haemoglobin in a red cell is determined by
dividing the amount of haemoglobin in one litre of blood by the number
of cells in one litre of blood. This is termed the Mean Corpuscular
Haemoglobin (MCH).
Hb
MCH =
No. of R.B.C.s
150 g
Normally, MCH = = 30 * 10 -12 = 30 picogram (pg)
5.0 * 1012

(Where one pigogram = one micromicrogram = 10 -12 g)

Dr.hussein M. M. Sc. Medical Physiology

Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)

The mean corpuscular haemoglobin suffers from the
disadvantage that it does not take into account the cell size.
Large cells tend to contain more haemoglobin that small cells. A
better indication of the haemoglobin content of a red cell is
found by dividing the haemoglobin content by the haematocrit.
This gives the quantity of haemoglobin in a given volume of red
cells, i.e. it is a concentration. It is termed the mean corpuscular
haemoglobin concentration (MCHC).
Hb
MCHC
= P.C.V.

150
Normally, MCHC = g/l = 330 g/l = 33 g/dl
0.45

A low MCHC is found in a severe iron deficiency anaemia.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDICES:

It will be noted that when all are expressed as per litre:

MCH = MCHC * MCV

Since:
Hb Hb p.c.v.
= *
No. of p.c.v. No. of
RBC RBC
Dr.hussein M. M. Sc. Medical Physiology

Table *: Normal Values of Red Blood Cells

Parameters

RBCs Parameters Mean ± S.D

RBCs count
Men 5.2 ± 1.1 (X 106 / mm3)
Women 4.8 ± 1.0
Children 4.7 ± 0.7
Hb
Men 15.5 ± 2.5 (g / 100 ml)
Women 14.0 ± 2.5
Children 13.0 ± 1.5
PCV
Men 0.47 ± 0.07 (%)
Women 0.42 ± 0.05
Children 0.41 ± 0.04
MCV
Adults 85 ± 9 (fl)
Children 84 ± 7
MCH
Adults 29.5 ± 2.5 (pg)
MCHc
Adults & Children 33.0 ± 2 (g/100 ml)
Mean diameter of red blood cell in
6.7 – 7.7 μm
dry blood film
Reticulocyte
0.2-2.0 %
Adults & Children