MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin)
Group 6:
1. Budiarti
2. Anjarwati
3. Iswarno
4. Sovia Rabyanti
5. Shinta Prima Ardinas
6. Lisetyowati Dianingsih
What is MCH?
MCH stands for ‘mean corpuscular hemoglobin”. An MCH value fevers to the average
quantity of hemoglobin present in a single red blood cell. Hemoglobin is the protein in your
red blood cells that transport oxygen to the tissues of your body.
Your MCH value is relates to two other values, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean
corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Together MCH, MCV, and MCHC are
sometimes reffered to as red blood cell indices.
How is MCH level determined?
Normal range
The normal range for MCH is between 27,5 and 33,2 picogram (pg)
Low MCH
An MCH value calculated below 27,5 pg is considered low MCH. This means that there’s
a low amount of hemoglobin present per per blood cell.
High MCH
An MCH value calculated above 33,2 pg is considered high MCH. This means that there
is a larger amount of hemoglobin present per red blood cell.
Low MCH causes and
symptoms
A low MCH value typically indicates the presence of iron deficiency
anemia. Iron is important for the production of hemoglobin. Your body
absorbs a small amount of iron that you eat in order to produce hemoglobin.
Some of the general causes of iron deficiency include eating a diet that is
low in iron, major surgery or trauma, or blood loss.
In more rare cases, low MCH can be caused by a genetic condition called
thalassemia. In this condition, production of hemoglobin is limited. This
means there aren’t as many red blood cells circulating in your bloodstream.
Symptoms:
● Shortness of breath
● Chest pain
● Fast heartbeat
● Fatigue or weakness
● Very pale or yellowish skin
● Headache
High MCH causes and symptoms
High MCH value can often be caused by anemia due to a deficiency of B vitamin, particularly B-12 and folate.
Both of these vitamins are required by your body in order to make red blood cells. These types of anemia can
develop if your diet is low in B vitamins or if your body does not absorb B-12 or folate prpoperly. It’s important
to be aware of the symptoms of a B-12 deficiency
Symptoms:
● Shortness of breath
● Chest pain
● Fast heartbeat
● Fatigue or weakness
● Very pale or yellowish skin
Treatment for low or High MCH
Low MCH High MCH
Treatment for low MCH caused by iron Treatment for anemias caused by B-12 or folate
deficiency can include adding iron-rich foods to deficiencies are commonly treated by lifestyle
your diet (there are even vegetarian options) and changes, such as adding foods rich in vitamin B-12
taking iron supplements. In rare cases, such as and folate to your diet. Your doctor may also
when symptoms are severe or blood loss has recommend taking supplements of these vitamins to
occurred, you may need a blood transfusion. further boots your B-12 and folate levels or, if
absorption is an problem, prescribe B-12 injections.
What’s
What’s the
the outlook?
outlook?
The outlook for people with abnormal MCH values depends on
the condition that’s causing it.
Low MCH values are often caused by iron deficiency anemia. BLOOD
Typically, this condition can be treated with lifestyle changes AB+
including consuming foods rich in iron as well an taking iron
supplements. In the rare case that your low MCH value is caused
by thalassemia, you may require blood transfusions if your
symptoms are severe.
High MCH values caused by a deficiency of the vitamins B-12 or
folate can also often be treated with changes to your lifestyle that
include dietary modifications and supplements, or injectable B-
12.
