Mean Cell Hemoglobin

MHC is the mean cell hemoglobin. This represents the absolute amount of hemoglobin in the average red cell in a sample. Its units are picograms (pg) per cell. The MCH is calculated from the [Hb] and the RBC using the following equation:

MCH (pg) = (Hb x 10) ÷ RBC

This value is generally not useful because the combination of MCV and MCHC provides more specific information. For example, a low MCH could be due to smaller than normal cells with normal Hb concentration, or normal sized cells with lower than normal Hb concentration. It is better to know about cell volume and hemoglobin concentration directly.




Last Updated: June 2000