We know that what gives blood its characteristic red color is hemoglobin, one of the many proteins that this life-giving liquid contains. Specifically, these proteins carry iron, concentrated in red blood cells. Thanks to hemoglobin, the red blood cells can bind to oxygen in the lungs and transport it to the organs and tissues throughout the body that need it.
It is also capable of binding a small amount of carbon dioxide to transport it from the organs and/or tissues where it is found to the lungs for exhalation and elimination from the body. As you can see, blood makes it possible for us to “breathe,” so to speak. That is why controlling all its aspects is so important. Today we will talk about MCH or mean corpuscular hemoglobin, which measures the amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells of our body.
Having high or low values, that is, irregular MCH, can be problematic for health and the proper functioning of the body, hence the recommendation to have an annual blood test. However, we do not want to reiterate the importance of regular monitoring; we will do so at the end of the post. For now, we will explain what MCH is and what happens when it is high in the blood.
What is MCH?
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin is part of a series of measurements taken in red blood cells to check that the quantities of all components are correct. These indices measure the size, shape, and quality of red blood cells. MCH is one of those measurements that, in this case, determines the amount of hemoglobin (in mass) per red blood cell.
These types of tests are usually requested when the doctor suspects that the patient may suffer from anemia or to rule out other problems, as the MCH value can help doctors identify and diagnose a variety of health conditions. In fact, it is usually measured routinely in a standard blood test, which only requires a blood sample from the patient and its subsequent analysis in a laboratory.
The results usually appear on a lab sheet that shows the patient’s values along with the results that a person in their healthy physical condition is supposed to have. This allows comparison of results to see if there is any anomaly. These ranges will always depend on the age, sex, and health status of the patient, as well as the measure used by each laboratory for comparison.
If the result does not fall within the ‘normal values,’ it does not necessarily mean there is a serious health problem; it may be an indication for a more in-depth medical evaluation. Of course, the interpretation of the analysis lies with the health professional, and at no time is it advisable to analyze them ourselves if we do not have the necessary knowledge. It must be taken into account that when reviewing an analysis, the doctor is simultaneously considering other factors such as the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and other tests performed.
MCH plays a crucial role in diagnosing certain diseases, as a low value may indicate some type of anemia (such as iron deficiency anemia), while a high value may have other consequences, such as the development of megaloblastic anemia. In any case, excessively high or low values are not good, but MCH values can also be used as markers of the disease causing the irregularity, helping doctors monitor the effectiveness of treatments.
We remind once again that MCH alone is not sufficient to generate a diagnosis; it must be considered in the context of other blood test results and clinical symptoms to create an appropriate treatment.
MCH Values
Now that we know what mean corpuscular hemoglobin is and its importance, let’s see what the normal values are in a healthy human and when there is concern for a high or low value:
Normal MCH:
As we have already explained, it is not easy to reach a standard MCH value because each laboratory measures it differently, so generally, it has been agreed that the normal range for an adult is approximately 27 to 33 picograms (pg) per cell. Children have a lower range given the function of their blood cells, but as always, many other factors of the patient must be taken into account.
High MCH:
From more than 33 picograms, MCH is considered high, leading to hyperchromia. It is usually associated with the level of vitamin B12 in the blood. Of course, depending on the increase in level, the problem will be greater or lesser. A slight elevation of MCH can be caused by occasional and high alcohol consumption, for example, but if the value is very high, we would be talking about a liver or thyroid pathology that needs to be treated specifically.
If there is a high or very high MCH level, the blood acquires a very intense red color because red blood cells have more hemoglobin than normal, which may be due to a lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid, causing pernicious anemia or even hepatitis C. Since the causes are so varied, there is no single and specific treatment to solve the problem; rather, a concrete medical solution is needed to determine the origin of this value imbalance.
To give you an idea, some of the most common symptoms of high MCH are:
- Pale or even bluish skin tone.
- Breathing problems.
- Increased heart rate.
- Abdominal pain and discomfort.
Low MCH. Just like a high value, it is also possible to have a low value, which is equally dangerous to health. A low MCH value means the appearance of hypochromia, which usually does not come with very obvious symptoms, making it somewhat more dangerous. If there are symptoms, the most common are:
- Difficulty breathing properly.
- Dizziness.
- Yellowish eyes.
- Migraines or severe headaches.
- Concentration problems.
As you can see, these symptoms can refer to many types of problems, so to clear doubts, it is best to see a doctor. The most common cause of hypochromia is iron deficiency, a condition that occurs especially in women and children. This problem will require specialized treatment, as in the case of high MCH, for the patient to overcome anemia (iron-rich diet, vitamin C supplements).
How to Maintain Normal MCH Levels
In addition to appropriate medical treatment, some changes can be made in daily life to regain normal MCH levels in the blood, such as:
Balanced diet. Eating healthy and in the right measure, in addition to general health, also helps maintain healthy MCH levels. It should be noted that the main component of MCH is hemoglobin, which needs iron for its production and proper functioning. Therefore, choosing a diet rich in this mineral will help maintain stable hemoglobin levels and, therefore, MCH. The foods that contain the most iron are red meat, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, and iron-fortified cereals.
Vitamin B12 and folate are also necessary for the production of red blood cells, and a deficiency of these components can produce high MCH. It is important to monitor their levels and include foods in our diet rich in these nutrients, such as dairy products, eggs, meats, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables.
Lifestyle. In addition to a rich and varied diet, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep MCH levels within normal ranges. This includes regular exercise or physical activity (it does not need to be very demanding) and avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
And not just that: it is also crucial to take care of an aspect we often forget: sleep. It is essential to have good rest and sleep, as fatigue and stress from lack of rest can affect the entire body, including MCH levels.
Medical check-ups. Early detection of the problem is key to solving it with minimal possible sequelae. If you take care of your health and visit the doctor from time to time for your periodic tests, in which the doctor can check MCH levels and other elements, it will help detect any anomaly before it becomes a major problem.
This is especially important for patients with diseases that can alter MCH, such as anemia, or in people at higher risk of developing this disease, such as pregnant women or people with chronic illnesses.
If there is any anomaly in MCH, doctors can get to work and conduct additional tests they deem necessary to start ruling out problems and detecting the cause of this irregular level. Hence, check-ups and the mindset of visiting the doctor at least once a year for a blood test are so important. We know a lot about this at Ambar Lab, where we offer more than 3,000 laboratory tests, support in managing your business, and developing new projects.
We work to ensure our extensive and growing catalog of tests answers these questions because we know that knowledge is the key that facilitates the work of our clients. If you want to know more about the team or what we can do for you, you just need to get in contact with us so we can find the solution that best fits your situation and needs.
