MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration)
MCHC, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, is the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells: how “saturated” the cells are with hemoglobin. It is one of the red blood cell indices of a complete blood count (CBC).
At a glance
- Sample
- Blood
- Units
- g/dL (US), g/L (Europe)
- Often looked at with
- RDW, Hemoglobin
- Preparation
- No special preparation is usually needed. If other tests are done from the same sample, you may be asked to come fasting.
Units: g/dL and g/L
US labs usually print MCHC in g/dL, many European labs in g/L. To convert, multiply g/dL by 10.
g/L = g/dL × 10
This converter changes units only. It doesn’t tell you whether a number is in or out of any range: that depends on the range printed by your own lab, and on your doctor. Soma does not diagnose and is not medical advice.
Why lab ranges differ
Each lab sets its reference range for its own method and analyser, and many ranges differ by age and sex. Two labs can print different ranges for the same blood, so a result is read against the range on its own report, not against a number from another lab or a website.
Soma charts every MCHC result against the range printed by the lab that measured it.
What can affect the result
- Fatty blood (high triglycerides) in the tube.
- Red blood cells clumping in the cold.
- Hemolysis: red blood cells breaking down in the tube.
If something like this applies, mention it to the doctor who reads your results.
Questions
How do I convert MCHC from g/dL to g/L?
Multiply g/dL by 10. For example, 33 g/dL is 330 g/L.
Why does my lab’s MCHC range differ from another lab’s?
Each lab sets its range for its own method and equipment, and many ranges differ by age and sex. That’s why a result is best read against the range printed on the same report.
How do I prepare for an MCHC test?
No special preparation is usually needed. If other tests are done from the same sample, you may be asked to come fasting. Follow your lab’s instructions.
Related tests
Got a lab report with MCHC?
Share it to Soma: it reads every row on your phone, with no account and no upload, and puts your MCHC on one chart with your earlier results, each against the range your lab printed.
Sources
- RBC indices — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- Units: 1 g/dL = 10 g/L by the metric prefixes, as the Soma app converts.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Mention of a source doesn’t mean it endorses Soma. This page explains the test; it doesn’t diagnose and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what your results mean.