Hemoglobin, or red blood cells, is the most important component of the body to live a healthier life. A person having healthy hemoglobin levels depends on the age and disease concerned, which is approximately 13.2 to 16.6 grams per deciliter for men. Similarly, women should consume 11.6 to 15 grams per deciliter, which keeps them healthy and active. So, to measure these levels in the body, Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) blood tests are done if any issues like disease, surgery, or infections arise in the body.
But how is the MCH blood test measured? Well, if you are hunting with such questions, then this article is right to read. Here is in-depth knowledge of MCH blood tests, what their normal ranges are, and what happens if there is any deficiency in health.
What Is Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) Blood Tests And How Is It Measured?
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) Is the amount of hemoglobin present in the red blood cells. If a person has low or high levels of MCH, it may indicate certain deficiencies in the body, like anemia, and lead to further problems. Besides, it is measured through the device that takes the blood samples and screens for many conditions, including anemia and infection. Moreover, MCH is calculated by dividing the amount of hemoglobin in a given blood volume by the number of red blood cells present, which can vary in persons.
So, the range differs from low to high and average depending on the age and sex. A normal MCH blood test is measured up to 10 to 15 dl in healthy adults. However, deficiency is measured up to
- A healthy body having MCH levels below 12, then it is considered a problem of anemia or other deficiencies in the body.
- Similarly, a healthy person with above 16 dl is measured with higher MCk levels, which can even be harmful in many ways.
Below, let’s see what lower and higher MCHs are and what symptoms define them, along with their treatments.
What are The Symptoms and Problems Associated With Low MCH Levels?
If you have low MCH levels, it may be a sign of hydrochloric anemia that can be dangerous after aging. Besides, it usually happens due to low hemoglobin levels and deficiency in the body. Also, it develops due to several reasons that might include-
- You might be suffering from blood loss due to surgery, nutritional deficiency, or other issues.
- There can be problems in your body absorbing iron
- Kidney disease can cause inflammation that prevents oxygen from recirculating into the body.
- If you are not taking enough iron in your diet, then it can be another reason for lower hemoglobin levels.
Symptoms Of Lower Hemoglobin Levels
However, not everyone is able to analyze lower hemoglobin levels and suffers from mental and physical issues.
So, some of the symptoms of lower hemoglobin levels are-
- You might feel headaches, stress, and some mental issues.
- Also, there can be tiredness, shortness of breath, and sometimes chest pain.
- You may suffer from fatigue, dizziness, or lightheadedness in your body.
- If having a deficiency, then there can be cold hands and feet with pale skin.
Symptoms And Problems Of High MCH levels
It is surprising to know that an MCH level above the normal levels may indicate that your body is suffering from anemia due to low folate or B12 levels. It usually happens due to a deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B9, and other essential nutrients that play an active role in the formation or development of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body. Besides, it usually happens due to many reasons like-
- Your body is unable to absorb more vitamins or other essential nutrients.
- Also, if you are consuming more alcohol or drinking heavily over the long term.
- There are certain medications that can result in interactions that cause serious problems to the heart and affect overall health.
- Also, due to inflammatory diseases like bowel dysfunctions, infections in the stomach, or other stomach problems.
Essential nutrients such as B, Vitamin, and folate are important for the body and mind, along with avoiding deficiency of anemia. So, knowing the symptoms is necessary if your body is high in MH and getting the treatment to cure it safely and quickly.
Symptoms Of High MCH Levels
- You may see fluctuations in walking or movement or show other unusual behavior.
- You can think over the topic and might suffer from stress and anxiety.
- Also, your smelling and tasting sensations might be weaker.
- You may have fluctuations in vision or can’t see clearly at night or during the day.
Treatments Related To Abnormal MCH Levels In The Body
After knowing the causes and ranges of MCH levels, it is necessary to understand how it can be maintained to live a healthier life. Also, it depends on the conditions of the person and knowing the cause of fluctuations in MCH levels. So, treatments associated with abnormal MCH levels in the body by healthcare providers are the following-
- If you suffer from serious health problems or continuous lowering of anemia, then the doctor can go through a blood and bone marrow transplant through surgery.
- Also, try to include proper dietary changes like taking in nature that can maintain the MCH levels.
- Moreover, if the diet does not work, you can include some medication that will help to maintain healthy blood cell levels in the body.
- Also, there are certain supplements that can boost MCH levels.
Bottom Line
Hemoglobin is the protein in your red blood cells that is most important and transports oxygen to the tissues of your body. Besides, it indicates the presence of healthy red blood cells that help treat various diseases or infections that arise in the body from external sources. Moreover, it happens because oxygen does not get supplied to the body, and you may feel tired and weak.
If it is lower, then you can suffer from health problems like less sleep, stress, anxiety, or depression. Similarly, if you get higher, then you can suffer from fluctuations in blood pressure levels and other issues. understanding the MCH blood test and its normal range provides valuable insights into overall health, aiding in the interpretation of results for informed medical assessments.
References
- Bessman JD, Gilmer PR, Gardner FH. Improved classification of anemias by MCV and RDW. Am J Clin Pathol. 1983;80:322–26. [PubMed]
- Rose MS. Epitaph for the MCHC. Br J Med. 1971;4:169. [PMC free article]
