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The Red Blood Cell Indices measure the:
These indices measure the size and content of the red blood cells. The
purpose of the measurement it to obtain further insight into the body's
response to anemia.
- Elevated MCV (>103) is a macrocytic cell
- Normal MCV is a normocytic cell
- Diminished MCV (<87) is a microcytic cell
- Elevated MCH is associated with macrocytic anemia
- Diminished MCH is associated with microcytic anemia
- Elevated MCHC is associated with spherocytosis
- MCHC is normal with pernicious anemia
- Diminished (<31) MCHC is associated with hypochromic anemia
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Normal Values*
| MCV |
87-103 cubic µm/red cell |
| MCH |
26-34 pg/cell |
| MCHC |
31-37 g Hgb/dl |
*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.
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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 |