About the Test
Purpose of the test
The purpose of an MCHC test is to evaluate whether RBC are carrying an appropriate amount of hemoglobin. MCHC is one of several measurements used to assess the function and health of RBC to check for signs of anemia and other blood disorders.
The MCHC test is one of the RBC indices, a collection of tests that provide information about certain characteristics of RBC like their size, shape, and quality. RBC indices are part of a complete blood count (CBC) which collectively include:
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
- Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
- Red blood cell distribution width (RDW)
The results of MCHC and the other RBC indices are used to diagnose and classify different types of anemia.
What does the test measure?
The MCHC test measures the concentration of hemoglobin in a RBC relative to the size of the cell itself. MCHC is a calculation that helps describe how much space inside of each RBC is made of hemoglobin.
A protein carried by RBC and that plays a vital role in supporting overall health, hemoglobin delivers oxygen to organs and tissues throughout the body. It also transports carbon dioxide back to the lungs where it can be exhaled.
When should I get an MCHC test?
MCHC is measured during a CBC, a common test that analyzes the quality of your blood. A CBC is usually part of a routine health examination and is an important test for diagnosing and monitoring a wide variety of diseases and conditions.
MCHC and other RBC indices on a CBC are evaluated if you have signs or symptoms of anemia. In this common blood disorder, the body is not producing enough healthy RBC, a condition that limits how much oxygen is delivered to organs and tissue.
Anemia can be mild or severe, depending upon the underlying cause of the condition and the progression of the disease. Some signs and symptoms of mild anemia develop over time and may include:
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Cognitive problems such as issues with concentrating or thinking
- Feeling weak or tired more often than usual
- Headaches
- Feeling agitated or irritable
- Loss of appetite
Signs that anemia is progressing may include:
- Being out of breath with mild activity or even at rest
- Skin that is unusually pale
- An unusually red or possibly sore tongue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Abnormal or increased menstrual bleeding
- Desire to eat ice or other non-food things including dirt
- Nails that break, chip or split easily
- Blue color to the whites of the eyes
Finding an MCHC Test
How can I get an MCHC test?
An MCHC test is part of a blood panel called a CBC, which generally requires a full blood draw to produce accurate MCHC test results. It is usually conducted by a licensed professional in a health care setting. The analysis of test results is conducted in a laboratory.
Can I take the test at home?
There are options for at-home CBC testing that include MCHC and the RBC indices. At-home test kits include instructions and tools for collecting a blood sample. When you are ready, you can mail or sample to a laboratory for analysis. The results of an at-home CBC are usually ready two to three business days after the sample is received and are reported electronically, through an online health portal, or by email.
At-home CBC test results cannot be used to diagnose or monitor any health condition. Your results must be shared with a health care provider who is familiar with your health history and situation. A traditional blood draw and CBC may be recommended by your doctor to confirm the results.
How much does the test cost?
Several factors affect the cost of a CBC test, which includes an MCHC test. The cost depends on where the test is conducted and whether you have health insurance coverage.
You can ask your doctor or health insurance provider for specific details on the expected costs of a CBC.
Taking an MCHC Test
The MCHC test is part of the CBC performed on a blood sample collected by a licensed medical professional.
Before the test
Generally, no special preparation is required before carrying out the blood draw for a CBC to find MCHC, unless your doctor provides specific instructions.
A CBC is commonly conducted at the same time as other blood tests. When you are getting more than one blood test, your provider may ask you to not eat anything for a certain amount of time or give other instructions prior to your blood draw.
During the test
Several steps occur during a needle blood draw:
- A medical professional will locate a vein in your arm, hand, or another part of your body from which to draw your blood.
- An alcohol wipe is used to wipe your arm clean in the area where the needle will be inserted. The most common locations are inside of the elbow or at the top of the hand.
- A band, called a tourniquet, is placed around your upper arm to make the vein in your arm more visible and easier to access with a needle.
- The needle is then placed in your vein, and a blood sample tube is attached to the needle which is then filled with blood. You may or may not feel a pinch or a little pain when the needle is inserted.
- After a few minutes, once the vial is filled, the needle and tourniquet are removed and the test is over.
After the test
Once the blood draw is complete, the medical professional will apply a bandage or cotton swab where the needle went in to prevent bleeding. You will likely be instructed to keep this in place for an hour or more.
It is possible that you may experience some slight side effects from the blood draw. It is common for minor bruising, dizziness, or lightheadedness to occur after a blood draw. Individuals rarely experience fainting, persistent bleeding, nausea, or tingling of hands or feet.
In some cases, your health care provider may ask you to stay seated briefly after the blood draw until they are sure you are safe to walk and/or drive.
MCHC Test Results
Receiving test results
The results for your CBC and MCHC test can be available within a few days after the blood sample arrives at the laboratory. The time frame may depend upon the laboratory’s equipment and practices.
You will be able to access a report of your CBC results through an online patient portal, if you ordered a test through Testing.com, or by requesting a copy from your health care provider. Your doctor will review each measurement on your CBC, including MCHC and other RBC indices, and describe what the results mean in relation to your health.
Interpreting test results
MCHC is interpreted in comparison to its reference range and also in relation to other RBC indices. The reference range is the set of results that are considered to be expected among most healthy adults in a designated population. Reference ranges are established by each laboratory according to their own practices and equipment.
MCHC is reported as grams per deciliter (g/dL). The American Board of Internal Medicine lists a typical MCHC reference range as 33-36 g/dL.
The MCHC result is compared to other RBC indices and measurements on a CBC to diagnose anemia and determine the underlying cause.
If you have anemia, MCHC results are categorized as follows:
- Lower than MCHC reference range is called hypochromic anemia, which is often caused by iron deficiency.
- Within MCHC reference range is called normochromic anemia if you have symptoms of anemia. This condition can be caused by sudden blood loss, kidney failure, artificial heart valves, or aplastic anemia, a rare type of anemia in which the body does not produce enough RBC.
- Higher than MCHC reference range is called hyperchromic anemia, which may be caused by spherocytosis, a rare hereditary condition in which the body makes abnormally shaped RBC. Hyperchromic anemia can also occur when RBC abnormally clump together, referred to as RBC agglutination.
MCHC is generally not interpreted separately from other blood values. To be a meaningful diagnostic test, it must be compared with RBC indices collectively. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
Your MCHC levels may have some implications for your health. If you decide to discuss your results with your health care provider, the following questions may be helpful:
- What does my MCHC result mean for my health?
- Can any diagnoses be made based on my MCHC results?
- Are there any follow-up tests needed based on my MCHC results?
- Is there anything I should do to improve my health if my test results are abnormal?
