Why would MCHC lab be low?
What causes low MCHC? The most common cause of low MCHC is anemia. Hypochromic microcytic anemia commonly results in low MCHC. This condition means your red blood cells are smaller than usual and have a decreased level of hemoglobin.
Why would MCV be decreased?
The common causes of microcytic and hypochromic anemia (decreased MCV and MCH) are as follows: Iron deficiency anemia. Anemia of chronic disease. Thalassemia.
What are the symptoms of low MCV and MCH?
If you have a low MCH value, you may experience the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath.
- chest pain.
- fast heartbeat.
- fatigue or weakness.
- very pale or yellowish skin.
- headache.
What does low MCV on CBC mean?
A low MCV indicates that the red blood cells are small, or microcytic. Possible causes include:8 Iron deficiency. Lead poisoning. Thalassemia (the thalassemias are genetic disorders characterized by abnormal hemoglobin)
What does it mean if MCHC is low and MCV is high?
Using MCHC With Other Red Blood Cell Indices For instance, low MCHC and low MCV could indicate iron-deficiency anemia, thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, or lead poisoning. A high MCHC and low MCV could indicate spherocytosis or sickle cell disease.
What is considered low MCHC in blood test?
If your MCHC value is below 33.4 grams per deciliter, you have low MCHC. Low MCHC values occur if you have anemia due to iron deficiency. It can also indicate thalassemia. This is an inherited blood disorder in which you have fewer red blood cells and less hemoglobin present in your body.
How does MCV help classify anemia?
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a laboratory value that measures the average size and volume of a red blood cell. It has utility in helping determine the etiology of anemia — calculation of the value is by multiplying the percent hematocrit by ten divided by the erythrocyte count.
What causes low MCV and MCH levels?
Common conditions resulting in a hypochromic microcytic anemia (low MCV and MCH) include thalassemia and iron deficiency; and, less commonly, anemias associated with chronic inflammatory conditions, genetic determinants for Hb C, congenital defects in copper metabolism, some forms of sideroblastic anemia, and other …
What does low MCV MCH and MCHC mean?
A low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) shows that someone’s red blood cells do not have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein, and a lack of it may indicate anemia.
What is MCV in bloodwork?
MCV stands for mean corpuscular volume. There are three main types of corpuscles (blood cells) in your blood–red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. An MCV blood test measures the average size of your red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes.
