Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
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| The MCH is a measure of the amount
(weight) of hemoglobin in a red blood cell.
This measurement is clinically significant in the presence of anemia as
it allows for categorizing the type of anemia.
- Elevated MCH is associated with macrocytic anemia
- Diminished MCH is associated with microcytic anemia
- Hyperlipidemia may give a false elevation of the MCH
- MCH is most useful in severely anemic patients. Among those with
lesser degrees of anemia, it is less useful because the measurement
has a potential for a relatively wide range of error.
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Normal Values*
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The
actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing
protocol to another. |
Source:
Operational Medicine 2001, Health
Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington,
D.C., 20372-5300 |