Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)

What it measures

The average amount of hemoglobin in each red cell. It usually moves with MCV and helps describe cells as hypochromic or normochromic.

Specimen and preparation

• Specimen: Whole blood (EDTA)
• Tube: Lavender top

Reference range

Reference ranges differ between laboratories, methods and populations. Always use the range printed on your own lab report.

Causes of high values

• Macrocytic anemias (B12/folate deficiency)
• Lipemia or high WBC falsely raising Hb
• Cold agglutinins

Causes of low values

• Iron deficiency
• Thalassemias
• Anemia of chronic disease

Method

Calculated by analyzer (Hb/RBC × 10)

Good to know

Adds little beyond MCV in most cases but is a useful quality check on the analyzer run.

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