What is MCH in a Blood Count?
Mean corpuscular haemoglobin or MCH is a common test carried out as part of a Blood Health Profile test. A MCH blood count provides an average measurement of the amount of haemoglobin carried in your red blood cells. Haemoglobin is an important protein responsible for transporting oxygen to tissues and cells in our bodies and collecting carbon dioxide to be removed from the body in the lungs.
Abnormal levels of MCH can indicate various problems in your body, from nutrient deficiencies to chronic diseases, so a blood test for MCH levels can provide valuable insights into your general health.
In this article, we explore what is MCH in a blood test, common causes of low or high MCH levels and the symptoms you may experience. In addition, we share how you can get your MCH levels checked at a time and place that suits you with a private Blood Health Profile test from Bluecrest Wellness.
What is MCH?
MCH stands for mean corpuscular haemoglobin. It is an average measurement of the amount of haemoglobin your red blood cells carry. MCH cannot be measured directly, so laboratories measure the total amount of haemoglobin in your blood (known as the haemoglobin value) and the number of red blood cells (red blood count). They then divide your haemoglobin value by your red blood count to get an average of the total amount of haemoglobin per red blood cell.
An abnormally high or low MCH blood count can indicate a range of problems in the body, from nutrient deficiencies to more severe chronic diseases or autoimmune disorders.
A blood test for MCH is standard in a Blood Health Profile test, which also measures additional key blood markers like white cell and platelet count to help doctors build a more comprehensive picture of overall health.
MCH levels
MCH levels in blood tests will vary from person to person. A doctor should properly interpret the results, as results from a blood test for MCH can vary based on the laboratory used for the test and naturally fluctuating individual norms.
Causes of Low MCH Levels
The most common cause of low MCH levels is anaemia, which occurs when your body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells or the cells you do have aren't functioning properly. However, low MCH levels can also be a sign of:
- An autoimmune disorder when the body attacks healthy cells
- A nutritional deficiency (for example, B12 or folic acid)
- Internal or external blood loss (could be through menstrual bleeding or from surgery or an injury)
- Kidney or liver disease
- Thalassemia - a common inherited blood disorder caused by genetic mutations in haemoglobin genes
Symptoms of low MCH levels
People with a low MCH blood count may experience symptoms including:
- Cold hands and feet
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
Causes of High MCH Levels
High levels of MCH often mean that your red blood cells are larger than normal, which is known as macrocytosis. This is often nothing to be worried about, but it can sometimes be caused by macrocytic anaemia, a condition that causes your bone marrow to make red blood cells that are too large.
Macrocytic anaemia can be caused by numerous factors, including:
- Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies
- Alcohol use
- Some medications, including chemotherapy medications, antibiotics, and antivirals
- Inherited conditions
- Pregnancy – this is usually caused by nutrient deficiencies
Other causes of high levels of MCH on a blood test can include:
- Certain types of kidney or liver disease, including cancer
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Congenital heart defects
- Hypothyroidism - when your body makes too little thyroid hormone
- Lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis
- Some medications
- Polycythemia vera, a rare blood disease usually caused by a gene mutation that causes the bone marrow to produce too many red blood cells
- Living at a high altitude
Symptoms of high MCH levels
People with high MCH levels often do not experience any symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, these are usually related to the condition causing the high MCH levels in the first place.
For example, if you have macrocytic anaemia, you may experience tiredness, a fast heartbeat, confusion and memory loss, brain fog or difficulty concentrating, and brittle nails that break easily and look paler than normal. Whereas if liver disease is the cause of your high MCH levels, you might experience pain in the upper part of your abdomen, loss of appetite, fatigue or yellowing of the skin.
Treatment for MCH Level Imbalance
Treatment for MCH level imbalance will depend on the root cause of the problem. For some people, simple changes to their diet, like increasing their iron intake or reducing the amount of alcohol they drink, can work, but for many, finding the underlying cause is essential and may result in medical treatment. That’s because although MCH levels on a blood test can help reach a diagnosis, they cannot confirm one, especially given that some conditions can cause either an increase or decrease in MCH levels.
As a result, if your MCH levels come back abnormal, you may be advised to have further tests. You may also be asked additional questions by a doctor about the symptoms you are experiencing to help them reach a diagnosis.
Private testing for MCH level imbalances
It’s easy to check your levels of MCH on bloodwork, as the MCH test is a standard part of our Blood Health Profile test. A Blood Health Profile test analyses different cells in your blood to provide information about your general health and help diagnose some conditions, like anaemia.
A trained health assessment specialist will use a small needle to take a blood sample from a vein in your arm. Once the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into a test tube and sent to a lab for testing. Appointments can be booked at many locations across the UK at a time and date that suits you, making it a quick, easy, and convenient way to gain insights into your MCH levels.
A Blood Health Profile test is included as standard in many of our full-body health assessment packages to give you comprehensive insights into your general health. Our full body health checks also include key metrics like your blood pressure and weight as well as your risk of some common medical conditions, like diabetes to give you a better picture of your general health.
All our tests use the latest technologies to provide accurate results. We also provide a comprehensive Results Report and free access to a 24/7 GP helpline for a year for complete peace of mind following your health assessment.
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