Red Blood Cell Indices

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Red Blood Cell Indices

The Red Blood Cell Indices measure the:

These indices measure the size and content of the red blood cells. The purpose of the measurement it to obtain further insight into the body's response to anemia.

Elevated MCV (>103) is a macrocytic cell
Normal MCV is a normocytic cell
Diminished MCV (<87) is a microcytic cell

Elevated MCH is associated with macrocytic anemia
Diminished MCH is associated with microcytic anemia

Elevated MCHC is associated with spherocytosis
MCHC is normal with pernicious anemia
Diminished (<31) MCHC is associated with hypochromic anemia

Normal Values*

MCV	87-103 cubic µm/red cell
MCH	26-34 pg/cell
MCHC	31-37 g Hgb/dl

*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

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