What is the MCH in a blood test?

The article was written by MSc Pham Thi Thuy Nhung - Head of Laboratory Department, Laboratory Department - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

When testing blood, there are many important indicators that patients need to pay attention to such as MCH, MCV, MCHC, LYM,... In particular, the MCH index plays a very important role in the diagnosis and detection of many other diseases. such as iron deficiency, liver disease, complications of cancer,...

A blood test (hematology test) is a type of test done on a blood sample to measure the levels of certain substances in the blood or count the number of types of blood cells. Blood tests can be done to look for signs of disease, pathogens, check antibodies, look for signs of cancer or evaluate the effectiveness of treatment,...
There are many types of tests. different blood. In which, the total blood cell analysis (CBC) test is a routine test, performed during physical examination, medical examination, emergency, monitoring the patient's treatment process,... Technical This test checks for 3 types of cells in the blood: white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. CBC results clearly reflect the quality and quantity of blood cells, thereby allowing doctors to diagnose and monitor abnormal problems of the body (infections, anemia, bleeding disorders, .. .) and better and more accurate prognosis.

2.1 What is the MCH in a blood test? MCH stands for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (the average amount of hemoglobin present in one red blood cell of the body). Hemoglobin is a protein responsible for enabling red blood cells to carry oxygen to cells and tissues inside the body. The MCH index is determined through a CBC blood test.
When tested, the MCH reading is normal if it ranges from 27 - 33 picograms (pg) per cell. MCH is low if it is less than 26 pg/cell and high if it is greater than 34 pg/cell.

2.2 Some notes when performing MCH test Before testing for MCH index, patients need to adhere to the following regulations:
Do not take any medicine before performing blood test. In case the patient misses taking the medicine, it is necessary to notify the doctor for appropriate treatment; Fasting: When testing for MCH along with other tests to diagnose liver disease, blood fat, blood sugar, etc., the patient needs to fast for 8 - 12 hours. When testing for hyperthyroidism or HIV or other diseases, the patient does not need to fast; Before the test, the patient did not use stimulants such as alcohol, beer, coffee, tobacco,... 2.3 What does a low MCH index represent? An MCH reading below 26 pg/cell indicates a lack of iron in the blood. Iron plays a role in making hemoglobin. When the body lacks iron, the MCH level in the blood will be low. This condition often occurs in people who are undernourished or are following a vegetarian diet.
In addition, the cause of low MCH index is also prolonged menstruation in women, gastric surgery, Celiac disease,... These diseases cause the patient's body to lose iron or lack iron. due to inadequate absorption of iron. Besides, when the body is deficient in some important vitamins such as vitamin B, the MCH index can also be low.
In people with low MCH, they hardly have any symptoms in the early stages. When the condition becomes worse, the index drops too low, the patient will have symptoms such as: Shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, bruises, ...

2.4 What does a high MCH mean? In case the MCH index is higher than 34 pg/cell, the patient is at risk of pernicious anemia. This condition occurs when the body does not have enough folic acid or vitamin B12. People with elevated MCH often have the following conditions:
Liver disease; Overactive thyroid gland; Taking a lot of estrogen-containing drugs; Abuse of alcohol; Complications of cancer, infection. Manifestations of people with high MCH index are: Fast heartbeat, loss of concentration, memory loss, fatigue, broken fingernails or toenails, weight loss, digestive problems, pale skin, etc. ..
2.5 How to ensure balance of MCH index? In case there are warning signs of low or high MCH level, the patient should go to medical facilities for testing. From there, the doctor can find out the cause of this abnormality and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
MCH index is low due to iron deficiency disease: Patients can adjust this index to a balanced level if they change their diet according to the doctor's instructions. If the body shows serious symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, it is necessary to go to a medical facility for treatment; MCH index is high: It is a rather dangerous condition, which should be treated immediately after detection. To ensure safety, each person should periodically perform blood tests even if the body is healthy, without any abnormality. From there, the doctor can rely on the MCH index and other indicators to detect the disease early and treat it promptly.

Periodic health check-ups help detect diseases early, thereby planning treatment for optimal results. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy, including:
Health checkup package general Vip Standard general health checkup package Patient's examination results will be returned to your home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.