RBC Indices

- are calculated to determine the average volume and

hemoglobin content and concentration of the red blood MCV: < 80 fL
cells in the sample. MCHC: < 32 g/dL
- used as a quality control check. Microcytic; hypochromic
- used for initial classification of anemias. Iron deficiency anemia, anemia of inflammation, thalassemia, Hb E
disease and trait, sideroblastic anemia

Mean Cell Volume (MCV) MCV: 80 –100 fL

- The MCV is the average (size) volume of the red blood cell, MCHC: 32–36 g/dL
expressed in femtoliters (fL), or 10-15L: Normocytic; normochromic
Hemolytic anemia, myelophthisic anemia, bone marrow failure,
MCV = HCT (%) X 10 . chronic renal disease
RBC count (X 1012/L)
MCV: >100 fL
 < 80 fL = microcytic MCHC: 32–36 g/dL
 > 100 fL = macrocytic Macrocytic; normochromic
 Normal size of RBC: almost the same size of the nucleus of Megaloblastic anemia, chronic liver disease, bone marrow failure,
the lymphocyte myelodysplastic syndrome

Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH) Reference range:

- The MCH is the average (amount) weight of hemoglobin in
a red blood cell, expressed in picograms (pg), or 10-12L: Measurement (units) Men Women
Hemoglobin(g/dL) 13.5 - 18.0 12.0 - 15.0
MCH = Hgb (g/dL) X 10 .
Hematocrit (%) 40% – 54% 35% - 49%
RBC count (X 1012/L)
Red cell count (106/µL or 1012/L) 4.2 - 6.0 3.8 - 5.20
 The MCH generally is not considered in the classification of Reticulocyte Count (%) 0.5% - 2.5%
anemias. MCV (fL) 80 - 100
MCH (pg) 26 - 34
MCHC (g/dL) 32 - 36
RDW (%) 11.5% - 14.5%
Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
- The MCHC is the average concentration of hemoglobin in
each individual red blood cell or in a given volume of  Microcytic Anemia (Shift to Left)
packed red cells.  Macrocytic Anemia (Shift to Right)
- The units used are grams per deciliter (formerly given as a
percentage): Rules of three
- used for quality control
MCHC = Hgb (g/dL) X 100 .  Hgb x 3 = HCT + 3%
HCT (%)  Hct X 100,000 = RBC
 RBC x 3 = Hgb
 Normochromic RBC: 32 to 36 g/dL
 Hypochromic RBC: < 32 g/dL
 occur in thalassemias, iron deficiency, and other
conditions.
 Hyperchromic RBC: > 36 g/dL
 a misnomer: a cell does not really contain more than
36 g/dL of hemoglobin, but its shape may have
become spherocytic, which makes the cell appear full.

o MCHC between 36 and 38 g/dL: check for spherocytes

o MCHC > 38 g/dL: investigated for an error in hemoglobin

 Markedly increased MCHC could be the presence of a
Cold agglutinin.
 Incubating the specimen at 37° C for 15 minutes
before analysis usually produces accurate results.

Red cell distribution width (RDW)

- Estimate of RBC anisocytosis
- Calculated through automated distribution individual red PandaMT13
call volumes