What is the full form of MCH?
MCH: Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin
MCH stands for Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin. It tells the average quantity of haemoglobin in one red blood cell. Haemoglobin is present in the red blood cells. It transports oxygen to the tissues of the human body.
Along with MCH, there are two other related values; mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). These values collectively sometimes known as red blood cell indices.
MCV tells the average size of RBCs of a person. It is linked with results of MCH as big red blood cells have more haemoglobin while smaller red blood cells generally have less haemoglobin. Whereas, MCHC tells the amount of haemoglobin per unit volume in a single red blood cell.
How is MCH-level calculated?
A CBC (complete blood count) test is performed to known the MCH level. It is a simple blood test in which a small amount of blood is taken from a vein in the arm using a needle. This test measures red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, etc., and MCH is measured through the red blood cell analysis in which the amount of haemoglobin in the given volume of blood is divided by the number of red blood cells present in that volume. The normal range of MCH remains between 27 and 33 picograms (pg). The value below this reading shows the low amount of haemoglobin in a red blood cell.
Causes of low MCH: The deficiency of iron in the body may result in a low level of MCH as iron is important for the formation of haemoglobin in the blood. Besides this, genetic problems like thalassemia can also cause a low level of MCH.
Common Symptoms of low MCH:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fast heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale skin
- Headache
Causes of High MCH: The value of MCH may increase due to anaemia that is caused by the deficiency of Vitamin B mainly B-12 and folate. These vitamins promote the production of red blood cells in the body.
The symptoms of high MCH:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest Pain
- Fast heartbeat
- Yellow Skin
- Fatigue
- Headache
Treatment for low MCH:
- Include iron-rich foods in your diet or take iron supplements
- In rare cases that involve blood loss, a blood transfusion can be done.
Treatment for high MCH:
Take foods that are rich in vitamin B-12 and folate. You may take these vitamins in form of supplements. The doctor may also suggest B-12 injections if the absorption of this vitamin is not occurring in the body.