Mean erythrocyte hemoglobin content (MCH) represents the average amount of hemoglobin contained in each red blood cell in the blood. The normal value of mean erythrocyte hemoglobin content in normal adults is 26-34 pg, and a mean hemoglobin content higher than 32 pg is said to be above normal. The average hemoglobin level is mostly used for the differential diagnosis of specific types of anemia in patients.
The results of the mean hemoglobin level should be analyzed in combination with the amount of hemoglobin, the average volume of red blood cells and the average red blood cell hemoglobin concentration. On the one hand, if the hemoglobin and average red blood cell volume values are normal and only the average red blood cell hemoglobin content is high, the clinical significance is not significant and regular follow-up testing is sufficient. However, if the patient’s hemoglobin value is lower than normal, it proves that the patient is anemic. If the mean hemoglobin content is higher than 34 pg or the mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration is lower than 35%, it has a differentiating significance, which is mostly seen in macrocytic anemia.
Anemia with increased mean erythrocyte hemoglobin content includes megaloblastic anemia, reticulocytosis, myelodysplastic syndrome, pernicious anemia, and hypothyroidism, which need to be diagnosed in combination with other data.
In summary, high mean erythrocyte hemoglobin content is most commonly associated with macrocytic anemia, such as megaloblastic anemia, reticulocytosis, myelodysplastic syndrome, and pernicious anemia, and should be diagnosed and treated accordingly, taking into account the medical history and other tests.