What is MCHC in a blood test?
Do you know what MCHC means in a blood test or what MCHC stands for?
MCHC in a blood test is the mean red blood cell hemoglobin concentration or the average concentration of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a protein molecule that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen to body tissues.
Even if your red blood cell count is normal, your MCHC can be in the low, normal, or high ranges.... Follow this article by GCORP LLC to learn what MCH is in a blood test and how to increase your MCHC....
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Symptoms MCHC What is low ?
There are several symptoms that are often present in people with low MCHC levels. These symptoms are usually associated with anemia. These symptoms include:
- Weakness and chronic fatigue
- shortness of breath
- Skin paleness
- It easily bruises the skin
- dizziness
- weakness
- Loss of Stamina
People whose MCHC levels are slightly low or have recently dropped may have no symptoms.
What factors cause decrease MCHC in blood test ?
The most common cause of low MCHC is anemia.. Microcytic hypochromic anemia usually leads to low MCHC... This disease means that your red blood cells are smaller than normal and the level of hemoglobin decreases.
Learn more: RDW in blood test
This type of microcytic anemia can be caused by the following:
- Iron deficiency
- The body's inability to absorb iron, which can be caused by conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and gastric bypass surgery.
- Chronic and mild blood loss due to menstrual cycle or prolonged gastric ulcer
- Hemolysis or premature destruction of red blood cells over time
In rare cases, low MCHC and hypochromic microcytic anemia can be caused by:
- Cancer, including cancers that cause internal blood loss
- Parasitic infections such as hookworm infection
- Lead poisoning
If your doctor suspects low MCHC, he may order several blood tests, including the following:
- MCHC level
- Mean red blood cell volume (MCV) which measures the average volume of your red blood cells
To check the m.c.h and m.c.v in the blood test, you can request an on-site test through GCORP LLC.... After the examination, the doctor will tell you what low mcv is and how to treat it.
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These tests may be included in a complete blood cell count (CBC) test. A CBC measures whether you have a normal range of red and white blood cells.
Through the results of the tests requested by the best hematologist, he should be able to accurately diagnose your type of anemia so that the root cause becomes easier... This can help them prescribe a course of treatment.
Surface Iron
Your doctor may check your iron levels and iron-binding capacity to see if your body is absorbing as much iron as it should.. All of these can be done with the same blood draw used for your CBC, and these two tests can help your doctor diagnose the cause of your anemia.
Donate bloodIf blood loss is suspected as the reason for your low MCHC in blood tests, your doctor will look for the source of the blood loss. The easiest diagnosis is an unusually long, frequent, or heavy menstrual cycle that women can tell themselves.
Other diseasesYour doctor may order diagnostic tests for other conditions, including:
- Endoscopy by gastroenterologists, where a lighted camera is moved through your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract....This can help find ulcers or cancer....Also, a biopsy done this way is the most reliable test for celiac disease.
- X-ray imaging of your upper digestive tract, which involves drinking a thick liquid containing barium. This substance causes some ulcers to appear on the X-ray image of your stomach and small intestine.
- Other blood tests, which can give us some screening indicators for celiac or Crohn's disease.
Read more: What is the MCH blood test?
MCHC low what effects couldhave so?
The most common side effect of living with a low MCHC level is lack of energy and decreased stamina....this side effect can limit your activities.
In severe cases, hypoxia from anemia can occur as a result of low MCHC.. When MCHC levels are too low, your body can struggle to deliver enough oxygen to all of your tissues.... As a result, these tissues are deprived of oxygen and unable to remove carbon dioxide... In fact, it can be life-threatening.
Common symptoms of hypoxia caused by anemia include:
- High heart rate
- Confused
- Rapid breathing
- to sweat
- shortness of breath
- Wheezing or coughing
Can low MCHC be treated?..
Once your doctor can identify the root cause of your low MCHC, he will provide a treatment plan.
The most common cause of low MCHC is iron deficiency anemia.. To treat this disease, hematologist and oncologist may recommend the following:
- Increase your iron intake with foods like spinach in your diet.
- Take iron supplements.
- Get more vitamin B-6, which is essential for proper iron absorption. Add more fiber to your diet, which can help absorb iron better..
- Do not consume more than your daily requirement of calcium, as too much can make it difficult for the body to absorb iron.
Read more: What is a T cell count test?
Is there a way to prevent it from going down?. Is there a MCHC level?
The best way to prevent low MCHC levels is to prevent iron deficiency anemia... To do this, try to make sure you have enough iron and vitamin B6 in your diet.
Foods rich in iron are:
- Spinach
- Beans
- Seafood
- Red meat, pork and chicken
- peas
Foods rich in vitamin B6 are:
- Marine fish (unprocessed)
- chicken breast
- Salmon fish
- Sweet potato
- Spinach
Read more: What is a liver function test and what is its use?
Final speech
You have read below about MCHC and now you know its symptoms and causes... In this regard, to get more information or to perform a test under the supervision of a doctor, make an appointment online at GCORP LLC and be in touch with a hematology and oncology specialist.
Source: Wikipedia
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