Blood Health
MCHC
What This Marker Tells Us
Measures the average concentration of hemoglobin inside your red blood cells, indicating how densely packed with hemoglobin each cell is regardless of cell size.
Why It Matters
MCHC measures hemoglobin density, the saturation of hemoglobin within the cell volume. Low MCHC produces hypochromic (pale) cells where hemoglobin is diluted, most commonly from iron deficiency or thalassemia. High MCHC is less common and may indicate hereditary spherocytosis (abnormally shaped RBCs) or other hemolytic conditions where cells lose membrane and concentrate hemoglobin. MCHC is the most stable red blood cell index and one of the last to become abnormal in developing anemia, so abnormal MCHC often indicates significant pathology. MCHC helps confirm iron deficiency when it's low alongside low MCV and MCH, creating the classic picture of microcytic, hypochromic anemia.
How to Interpret Your Trends
Normal MCHC is approximately 32-36 g/dL. Low MCHC (below 32 g/dL) indicates hypochromic cells with diluted hemoglobin, typically from iron deficiency or thalassemia. This produces cells that appear pale under microscopy. MCHC below 30 g/dL strongly suggests iron deficiency. High MCHC (above 36 g/dL) is unusual and may indicate spherocytosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, or laboratory error. Very high MCHC (above 37 g/dL) is rare and requires investigation. Normal MCHC generally rules out significant iron deficiency, though early iron depletion may not yet affect MCHC.
What Influences This Marker
MCHC decreases with iron deficiency (most common), thalassemia, and conditions causing microcytic hypochromic anemia. MCHC is relatively stable and typically only becomes abnormal with significant iron depletion after ferritin and MCV have already changed. MCHC increases with hereditary spherocytosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, severe burns, and sometimes with laboratory processing delays or errors. Unlike MCV and MCH, MCHC is less affected by nutritional status and more specific to iron availability for hemoglobin synthesis.
How Your Team Uses It
Your coach focuses on iron optimization through dietary sources when MCHC is low, implementing strategies identical to those used for iron deficiency: heme iron from animal sources, non-heme iron with vitamin C enhancers, and avoiding iron inhibitors at iron-rich meals.
Related Signals We Also Review
MCV, MCH, hemoglobin, ferritin, iron saturation, peripheral blood smear, and reticulocyte count for complete RBC morphology and iron status assessment.