· Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) describes the amount of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. Low MCHC levels can signal underlying health issues like anemia, inflammation, or red blood cell damage. If a blood test shows you have low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), it may be a sign of anemia.
Understanding the Context
In rare cases there may be a more serious cause, such as cancer.If a doctor suspects low MCHC levels, they may order a blood test. They may also do other tests to rule out any underlying conditions.Here, find out what causes low MCHC levels, how to recognize it, what an MCHC blood test involves, and what to do if your levels are low.What are high MCHC levels?See full list on healthline.comWhat are the symptoms of low MCHC?There are a number of symptoms that people with low MCHC levels often have. They generally relate to iron deficiency anemia and include: •fatigue and chronic tiredness •shortness of breath •pale skin •easy bruising •dizziness •weakness •loss of staminaPeople with slightly or recently low MCHC levels may not notice any symptoms.What causes low MCHC?The most common cause of low MCHC is anemia. Hypochromic microcytic anemia commonly results in low MCHC.
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This condition means your red blood cells are smaller than usual and have a decreased level of hemoglobin. This type of microcytic anemia can be caused by: •lack of iron •the inability of your body to absorb iron, which can be caused by conditions like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and gastric bypass surgery •chronic low-grade blood loss over time from a long menstrual cycle or peptic ulcers •hemolysis, or the premature destruction of red blood cells over timeIn rarer cases, low MCHC and hypochromic microcytic anemia can be caused by: •cancer, including cancers that cause internal blood loss •parasitic infections like hookworm infections •lead poisoningSee full list on healthline.comIf your doctor suspects that you have a low MCHC, they will order a complete blood count (CBC). This is a collection of tests that includes a blood test to examine your MCHC levels and a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) test, which measures the average volume of your red blood cells.See full list on healthline.comDuring the testDuring the test, you can expect the following to happen. A healthcare professional will: 1.Find a vein in your arm, hand, or elsewhere from which to draw blood. 2.Clean the area with an alcohol wipe.
Important Details
3.Place a band around your arm above the intended site to make the vein easier to see. 4.Insert the needle in your vein, at which point you may feel a pinch or a little pain. 5.Attach a blood sample tube to the needle. 6.Wait for the tube to fill with blood, which may take a few minutes.After the testAfter the test, the healthcare professional will remove the needle, wipe the area clean, and place a dressing on it.
Final Thoughts
They may ask you to press on the injection site for a few minutes to ensure it does not bleed. Some people feel lightheaded or dizzy after a blood test, and the injection site may be sore or a little bruised. You may need to stay seated for a few minutes to ensure it is safe for you to walk or drive. Before leaving, be sure to ask when and how you can expect to hear the results.Other testsYour doctor may also order diagnostic tests for other conditions, including: •An endoscopy, during which a lighted camera is moved through the upper part of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This can help show ulcers or cancer. Also, a biopsy performed during this procedure tests most reliably for celiac disease.
•X-rays of your upper GI, which involves drinking a thick liquid containing barium. This substance makes it possible for some ulcers to show up on the X-ray of your stomach and small intestine. •Additional blood tests, which can provide some screening indicators for celiac or Crohn’s disease.See full list on healthline.comA typical MCHC result is 32–36 grams/deciliter (g/dL) or 320–360 grams per liter (g/L), although this may vary depending on the lab. Levels outside this range can indicate anemia.A healthcare professional will advise you on your individual result.See full list on healthline.comThe most common complication of living with low MCHC levels is lack of energy and decreased stamina. This can limit your activities.In severe cases, anemic hypoxia can occur as a result of low MCHC levels. When MCHC levels are very low, your body could struggle to provide enough oxygen to all its tissues.As a result, these tissues are deprived of oxygen and unable to get rid of carbon dioxide. This can actually become life threatening.Common symptoms of anemic hypoxia include:•fast heart rate•confusionSee full list on healthline.comOnce your doctor is able to detect the underlying cause of your low MCHC levels, they’ll come up with a plan of treatment.The most common cause of low MCHC is iron deficiency anemia. To treat this, your doctor may recommend the following:•Increase iron in your diet.•Take iron supplements.•Get more vitamin B6, which is necessary for proper absorption of iron.•Add more fiber to your diet, which can help improve the intestinal absorption of iron.See full list on healthline.comThe best way to prevent a low MCHC level is to prevent iron deficiency anemia. To do this, try to make sure you’re getting enough iron and vitamin B6 in your diet.Keep in mind that the iron in spinach is not as readily absorbed because of its oxalic acid content. This can be improved by consuming it with things like vitamin C, beef, poultry, or fish.Foods rich in iron include:•spinach (best if cooked to reduce the oxalic acid content)•beans•seafoodSee full list on healthline.comWhen should I be concerned about low MCHC?Anything below or above the normal MCHC range can mean you have anemia. Common signs and symptoms include low stamina, tiredness, and difficulty breathing.What level of MCHC is concerning?A typical MCHC result is 32–36 grams/deciliter (g/dL) or 320–360 grams per liter (g/L), although this may vary depending on the lab.Can MCHC be low without anemia?Low MCHC concentrations in the blood may point to iron-deficiency anemia. You can also be deficient in iron without having iron-deficiency anemia, for example, due to heavy menstrual bleeding. Other causes of low MCHC include other types of anemia, celiac disease, cancer, or lead poisoning.See full list on healthline.comMCHC refers to the average concentration of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the protein that enables red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.A low result in an MCHC blood test may indicate iron-deficiency anemia. In some cases, it may be a sign of an underlying condition, such as celiac disease or cancer.See full list on healthline.comAug 4, 2025 · Low MCHC levels often point to conditions where the body struggles to produce enough hemoglobin or where red blood cells are compromised. The most frequent cause is iron deficiency anemia, a condition where the body lacks sufficient iron, a mineral vital for hemoglobin production. · Low MCHC levels in a blood test may indicate iron-deficiency anemia or thalassemia. However, in some cases, it may point to a more serious underlying condition, such as celiac disease or cancer. · MCHC blood test low value indicates that hemoglobin concentration is low in the red blood cells. The condition is known as hypochromic anemia and is most commonly caused by iron deficiency. · An MCHC blood test between 32-36 grams per deciliter (g/dL) is considered normal. Results below or above this range could be abnormal, but don't necessarily indicate there's a problem. A low MCHC reading indicates that red blood cells, which transport oxygen, are paler than normal. This paleness, known as hypochromia, signifies an insufficient concentration of hemoglobin within these cells. · Low MCHC levels often point to conditions where the body struggles to produce enough hemoglobin or where red blood cells are compromised. The most frequent cause is iron deficiency anemia, a condition where the body lacks sufficient iron, a mineral vital for hemoglobin production. · Low MCHC levels in a blood test may indicate iron-deficiency anemia or thalassemia. However, in some cases, it may point to a more serious underlying condition, such as celiac disease or cancer. · MCHC blood test low value indicates that hemoglobin concentration is low in the red blood cells. The condition is known as hypochromic anemia and is most commonly caused by iron deficiency. · An MCHC blood test between 32-36 grams per deciliter (g/dL) is considered normal. Results below or above this range could be abnormal, but don't necessarily indicate there's a problem. A low MCHC reading indicates that red blood cells, which transport oxygen, are paler than normal. This paleness, known as hypochromia, signifies an insufficient concentration of hemoglobin within these cells.
