A low MCH value typically indicates the presence of
iron deficiency anemia
. Iron is important for the production of hemoglobin. Your body absorbs a small amount of iron that you eat in order to produce hemoglobin.
What causes MCH to be low?
Anemia can cause abnormal MCH readings on blood tests.
Often a lack of iron causes
anemia with a low MCH. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Pregnancy, blood loss, and weight loss surgery can all cause a drop in your iron levels and lead to iron-deficiency anemia or low hemoglobin and MCH levels.
Is low MCH bad?
Low MCH levels usually
occur as a result of iron deficiency that has led to anemia
. Doctors may recommend that individuals add more iron and vitamin B6 to their diet. Eating vitamin C and fiber, along with foods that contain iron, may also help increase the MCH levels.
What are the symptoms of low MCHC?
- fatigue and chronic tiredness.
- shortness of breath.
- pale skin.
- easy bruising.
- dizziness.
- weakness.
- loss of stamina.
What happens if MCV and MCH are low?
Common conditions resulting in a hypochromic microcytic anemia (low MCV and MCH) include
thalassemia and iron deficiency
; and, less commonly, anemias associated with chronic inflammatory conditions, genetic determinants for Hb C, congenital defects in copper metabolism, some forms of sideroblastic anemia, and other …
What is MCH normal range?
The normal values for MCH are
29 ± 2 picograms (pg) per cell
. MCHC indicates the amount of hemoglobin per unit volume. In contrast to MCH, MCHC correlates the hemoglobin content with the volume of the cell.
How high can MCH levels go?
MCH levels
over 34 pg
are generally considered abnormally high. The most common reason for high MCH is macrocytic anemia, which is a blood disorder in which the body fails to produce enough red blood cells.
What does MCHC mean in a blood test when it is low?
A
low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
(MCHC) shows that someone's red blood cells do not have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein, and a lack of it may indicate anemia. Hemoglobin is responsible for the red color in blood and for circulating oxygen around the body.
How do I raise my hemoglobin?
- meat and fish.
- soy products, including tofu and edamame.
- eggs.
- dried fruits, such as dates and figs.
- broccoli.
- green leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach.
- green beans.
- nuts and seeds.
How long does it take for MCV to return to normal?
Because the MCV usually returns to normal
within 2 to 4 months of abstinence
, the increase in RBC size apparently is a direct effect of alcohol on RBC production.
What foods are high in iron?
- Red meat, pork and poultry.
- Seafood.
- Beans.
- Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.
- Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots.
- Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.
- Peas.
What causes high MCH levels?
High MCH value can often be caused by
anemia due to a deficiency of B vitamins, particularly B-12 and folate
. Both of these vitamins are required by your body in order to make red blood cells. These types of anemia can develop if your diet is low in B vitamins or if your body does not absorb B-12 or folate properly.
What causes anemia in humans?
What causes anemia? The most common cause of anemia is
low levels of iron in the body
. This type of anemia is called iron-deficiency anemia. Your body needs a certain amount of iron to make hemoglobin, the substance that moves oxygen throughout your body.
What happens if MCV is low?
The MCV will be lower than normal when
red blood cells are too small
. This condition is called microcytic anemia. Microcytic anemia may be caused by: iron deficiency, which can be caused by poor dietary intake of iron, menstrual bleeding, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
What are the symptoms of low MCV?
- Fatigue.
- Unusual bleeding or bruising.
- Cold hands and feet.
- Pale skin.
What is a critically low hemoglobin level?
A low hemoglobin count is generally defined as
less than 13.5 grams of hemoglobin per deciliter (135 grams per liter)
of blood for men and less than 12 grams per deciliter (120 grams per liter) for women.
