Experiencing these Symptoms? Get an MCHC Blood test
Time to read 9 min
Time to read 9 min
There are a range of symptoms that may connected to low haemoglobin levels in the body. You can get an MCHC test done to check for your haemoglobin levels, and determine whether you need further testing for specific conditions.
If you have low levels of MCHC in the body, then there may be a case of anaemia. You can get treatment for this as well as focus on your iron intake through supplements and dietary methods. You can also get tested for specific conditions if you have a family history.
A mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration test is a part of a complete blood count, which is commonly used to determine the health status of an individual, apart from diagnosing multiple diseases. MCHC stands for the average amount of hemoglobin per a defined volume of red blood cells. Concentration of hemoglobin is an important parameter found within red blood cells. Such concentration helps in the transport of oxygen throughout the body. The ability of a cell to function effectively depends on the proper concentration of proteins, and overall health conditions are also affected by that.
The MCHC is calculated by dividing total hemoglobin by the percentage of blood volume occupied by red blood cells, expressed in g/dL. The values normally range from 32 to 36 g/dL but may be varied by the laboratory used and test population.
Low MCHC levels or hypochromia is seen with various conditions that include iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia, and chronic diseases that influence the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells, therefore, carry less hemoglobin than is normal; consequently, red blood cells will appear more pale in the microscope compared to their usual color under the microscope, and these cells will also carry less oxygen. Conversely, high MCHC levels or hyperchromia might be a result of some conditions that include spherocytosis or dehydration, conditions where the red blood cells are concentrated with more hemoglobin than is normally expected.BIndications of doing the MCHC blood Test
In many instances, the blood MCHC test may be requested when a patient presents with complaints such as fatigue and or weakness, pallor or shortness of breath that may be suggestive of anemia or possibly an illness related to the blood. It may be just a routine check in regular health screenings or checkup checklists. By evaluating MCHC together with the others in a CBC report from the laboratory, clinicians come to understand the level at which a patient might need further hematological examinations.
Interpreting MCHC, health care providers may refer to other red blood cell indices, such as Mean Corpuscular Volume or MCV and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, or MCH. Together, these values help health care providers classify which type of anemia, or blood disorder, may be present. For instance, low MCHC in combination with low MCV might suggest the presence of iron deficiency anemia, whereas low MCHC with normal or increased MCV might indicate the existence of macrocytic anemia, which is very often characterized by vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
The values for MCHC should always be related to the patient's history of clinical events and all other laboratory test results obtained at the time of study. Hydraulics status, previous recent blood transfusion, chronic illness, etc., create variations and require proper interpretation.
Although the MCHC test is helpful, it is not specific and diagnostic. An abnormal result for the MCHC test usually requires follow-up testing and a careful clinical evaluation to identify a cause. The patients should be encouraged to discuss the results with their healthcare providers for information on necessary follow-up tests or treatments according to the entire clinical context.
There are several factors that are important to check for when you start experiencing the core symptoms. You can get tested for a complete blood health check-up, which can measure your hemoglobin, RBC, WBC, and platelets.
You should also consider getting tested when you are experiencing an infection or are managing a medical condition. You can improve these levels over time as well, through the right changes to your nutrition, lifestyle, and other factors.
One of the most important uses of the MCHC test is to check for hemolytic anemia, in which there are low levels of red blood cells present. You can experience tiredness and weakness as primary symptoms, in which case it is important to get tested regularly for iron deficiency anemia.
You can also get tested for sickle cell disease, thalassemia, high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia), haematology, and other medical conditions.
If you are also managing an infection, then getting your mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration MCHC blood tests done will be vital.
If you have a family history of a medical condition or a deficiency, then getting a blood sample tested for MCHC is important.
You should get your complete blood count or a peripheral blood smear through a specialised blood institute or hospital. Healthy blood cells can be significantly impacted when there is an iron deficiency present.
If you have experienced low hemoglobin levels in the past, then getting tested for them regularly will be important. This can be vital in the case of blood transfusions as a certain threshold of hemoglobin value is important for a blood transfusion.
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration, simply referred to as MCHC, is a fundamental blood test that determines the average concentration of hemoglobin within a specified volume of red blood cells.
Hemoglobin is a protein responsible for carrying oxygen to other parts of the body. Its concentration is essential to know since its increase or decrease might suggest possible health issues for someone.
An MCHC test could be a stepping stone to identifying many health problems, especially disorders known as anemia and others affecting the composition of the blood.
If you have such symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about the need for an MCHC test.
The most frequent symptom of low hemoglobin is chronic fatigue. Should you find yourself to be unusually tired, weak, or lack energy, then it might be a sign that your body is not getting enough oxygen because your hemoglobin levels are too low.
Fatigue can come on in many forms: the physical kind, or as a lack of mental sharpness.
If this feeling is new or much stronger than usual, an MCHC test may help decide whether anemia or some other blood disorder is contributing to your fatigue.
The color of your skin might tell you many very important things. An ash-colored skin condition would mean that your MCHC level is low, or your red blood cells are few in number.
Jaundice could be staining of the skin and the conjunctiva yellow; it could mean that hidden problems such as hemolytic anemia exist in the background.
So in case of such a color with other symptoms such as lethargy, an MCHC could be the single test to identify what may be happening.
If your breathing is shallow or if you experience shortness of breath, especially when physically active, it could indicate that your body is receiving too little oxygen.
Such an occurrence may be because of anemia or a range of other respiratory-related illnesses.
If you do have shortness of breath with no apparent cause like exercising intensely, you will have to visit your health provider.
An MCHC test is used to measure hemoglobin levels and the effectiveness of the blood in carrying oxygen to the body.
Dizziness, especially when you get up, may indicate that there is a low level of oxygen in the brain due to low levels of hemoglobin.
In case you experience dizziness or fainting often, it might be due to anemia or other blood disorders.
An MCHC test will ascertain whether your concentration of hemoglobin is what's causing these symptoms.
When the body suffers with less oxygen, the heart itself responds by increasing the beating speed to circulate even more blood. A quicker than normal heartbeat or even palpitations, especially at resting state or during no strain is a sign of having anemia.
A test result from MCHC may really be helpful in evaluating a person's hemoglobin counts and the possible reasons that bring about these heart-related phenomena.
Cold extremities are caused by poor circulation or decreased oxygen.
You may experience this more frequently when your hands and feet become cold or numb, and it might be caused by anemia or any other blood-related disease.
Consult your healthcare provider, and you can even have an MCHC test to figure out what is wrong.
Hair and nails require optimal levels of oxygen and more for healthy growth. Susceptibility to brittle nails or hair could indicate anemia, nutrition deficiencies, or some other cause.
These symptoms seem cosmetic, but they are warning symptoms of potential health problems.
An MCHC test can, therefore, answer you about your blood condition and how to rectify that.
Pica is a medical disorder that involves cravings of consuming non-food items including, but not limited to: ice, dirt, clay and so on.
A strong association exists between pica, especially in the cases associated with iron deficiency anemia.
If you observe this type of craving it should be discussed with the patient's physician to refer or consider an MCHC test to rule out such nutritional deficiencies.
Severe or chronic headaches can be caused due to insufficient oxygen supply in the brain.
This might be a result of anemia because of low hemoglobin levels.
If you experience chronic headaches accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue or dizziness, an MCHC test may help in determining the underlying causes of blood disorders.
You are at an increased risk of developing conditions similar to these if there is a family history of blood disorders, such as anemia or thalassemia. This calls for proactive health practices.
You may want to be checked if you are already experiencing symptoms or just like to monitor your blood condition. Getting an MCHC test done is thus a sensible decision.
Early detection of symptoms and discussion with the healthcare provider may lead to timely diagnosis and treatment.
An MCHC Blood Test is a simple blood test that can provide critical information about your hemoglobin levels, helping your doctor identify potential issues.
If any of the symptoms mentioned above resonate with you, don't hesitate to consult your healthcare provider.
Early intervention can lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life.
The MCHC Blood Test is usually part of a complete blood count, or CBC, which checks on different components of your blood.
The test requires that you have a small amount of blood drawn, and it is usually done through a vein in your arm.
Here's what you can expect:
Preparation for an MCHC Blood Test is not generally required, although your doctor may advise you to fast or avoid medications that may interfere with the results.
A healthcare professional will prepare the area, insert a needle, and draw some blood. You will experience a little prick, and it's usually done within a few minutes.
Once your blood is drawn, sent to a lab, and analyzed, your health care provider would consult you on the result. The normal range of MCHC ranges between 32 to 36 g/dL. This means abnormal results could point towards possible conditions such as anemia or dehydration.
If you feel or experience any of these, such as weakness, fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, or other signs, you may want to talk about the possibility of having an MCHC test with your healthcare provider.
This will help diagnose the disorder early and enable the use of appropriate treatments for your condition.
Your health is precious, and it's best that you take action in regard to any symptom that makes you feel otherwise.
* Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).
