Laboratory value checker: MCH
Have you received your MCH laboratory value? Is your value too high or too low? Discuss your lab results directly with an online doctor via TeleClinic. The costs are covered by all health insurance companies and insurers.
Here you can find out what your MCH laboratory value means.
The abbreviation MCH stands for Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (in German: mittlerer korpuskulärer Hämoglobinkoeffizient). This key figure is calculated as the quotient of the hemoglobin concentration and the erythrocyte count(hematocrit value). Haemoglobin is the red blood pigment, erythrocytes are the red blood cells. The MCH value provides information about the health of your blood. Deviations from the normal value can indicate various blood disorders and diseases of the hematopoietic system.
Abstract
- MCH is the abbreviation for mean corpuscular hemoglobin coefficient.
- The MCH laboratory value forms part of the complete blood count.
- Both too high and too low MCH values indicate anemia.
What is MCH?
This value is determined regularly as part of a blood count. This test analyzes the cell composition of your blood. Haemoglobin is a protein complex that gives red blood cells their color and binds oxygen in them.
Which MCH laboratory values are normal?
Your MCH values are assessed regardless of gender. In principle, a value between 28 and 34 pg (picograms per cell) is considered safe for adults.
Which diseases can cause a low MCH value?
If the laboratory detects an MCH value of less than 28 pg, anemia is often present. This disease usually manifests itself through the appearance of the following symptoms:
Anemia is caused either by a disorder of blood formation or an increased loss of red blood cells. Another possible cause of a low MCH value is a vitamin B6 deficiency.
What could be behind an excessively high MCH laboratory value?
An excessively high MCH value can also indicate anemia. In addition, the laboratory value deviating from the norm may be due to one of the following causes:
- B12 deficiency
- Folic acid deficiency
- Hemolysis (increased breakdown of red blood cells)
Sources
- https://www.internisten-im-netz.de/mediathek/blutbild-erklaerung/mittleres-korpuskulaeres-haemoglobin.html
- https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/Anaemie-Blutarmut
- https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/Laborwerte
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/62337/Eisenmangel-Meta-Analyse-sieht-keinen-Nutzten-fuer-Screening-von-Schwangeren-und-Kleinkindern
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- Zuletzt aktualisiert: 6. January 2026
