MCH Test

About the Test

The purpose of a mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) test is to calculate the amount of hemoglobin in an individual red blood cell. The MCH test is one of several tests that are used to diagnose and classify different types of anemia. Anemia is a condition in which there are too few healthy red blood cells, which affects the blood’s ability to carry enough oxygen to organs and tissues in the body.

The MCH test is one of the red blood cell (RBC) indices, a group of tests that is used to characterize the size, shape, and quality of your red blood cells. The RBC indices can be found on a complete blood count report and include:

• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
• Red blood cell distribution width (RDW)

The results of the RBC indices are compared with each other and other blood tests in order to diagnose the cause of anemia.

What does the test measure?

The mean corpuscular hemoglobin test measures the amount of hemoglobin in an individual red blood cell. Hemoglobin is a protein that delivers oxygen from the lungs to organs and tissues and transports carbon dioxide back to the lungs where it can be exhaled. This process is vital for supporting overall health and bodily functions.

When should I get an MCH test?

A mean corpuscular hemoglobin test is part of a complete blood count, a common blood test that is used to diagnose and monitor a wide variety of health conditions. You may have a CBC performed during a routine health examination or if you are being evaluated for a health problem.

Anemia is a common health problem that can be caused by a number of different conditions. If you have signs or symptoms of anemia, your doctor will order a CBC and carefully compare MCH to the other red blood cell indices in order to confirm the diagnosis and help determine the cause.

Initial signs and symptoms of anemia may include:

• Feeling weak or tired more often than usual
• Headaches
• Problems concentrating or thinking
• Feeling irritable
• Loss of appetite
• Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

Later signs and symptoms of anemia may include:

• Blue color to the whites of the eyes
• Nails that break easily
• Desire to eat ice or other non-food things like dirt
• Dizziness or lightheadedness when you stand up
• Pale skin color
• Shortness of breath with mild activity or even at rest
• Sore or unusually red tongue
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Abnormal or increased menstrual bleeding

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