MCHC
MCHC is the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells (how 'saturated' they are with hemoglobin). Unlike MCH, it also takes cell size into account.
| Rating | Range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Talk to a doctor | below 317 g/L | |
| Good | 317 – 357 g/L | Within the reference range. |
| Talk to a doctor | 357 g/L and above |
Why it matters
Helps characterize the type of anemia.
If it’s low
Low MCHC (less saturated cells) often accompanies iron deficiency.
If it’s high
High MCHC is rare; it can indicate hereditary spherocytosis or a measurement error (e.g. sample hemolysis, lipemia).
What to do
Interpret it with MCV/MCH and hemoglobin. An unusually high MCHC often means a technical error — repeat it if needed.
Read together with
MCV · MCH · Hemoglobin
Part of the guide: Complete blood count (CBC) →
Articles about this marker
- Complete blood count (CBC): what the basic blood count meansMarker explained
- MCV, MCH and MCHC: what high and low red cell indices meanComplete blood count (CBC)
This content is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your results.
Your number, not the average
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