MCHC
Medical abbreviation · Laboratory Test
| Stands for | Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
MCHC stands for Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, a laboratory test abbreviation.
Concentration of hemoglobin within a given volume of packed red cells, normally about 32 to 36 g/dL. A low MCHC (hypochromia) appears in iron deficiency, while a genuinely high value is characteristic of hereditary spherocytosis and some other hemolytic conditions.
Example: MCHC of 37.8 flagged on the CBC; smear review showed spherocytes.
Usage notes
Calculated as hemoglobin divided by hematocrit. Because red cells cannot hold hemoglobin much above saturation, a very high MCHC first raises suspicion of an artifact such as cold agglutinins, lipemia or a hemolyzed sample. Laboratories usually rerun such specimens after warming them or replacing the plasma before releasing the result.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- LDL – Low-density lipoprotein (cholesterol)
- LE – Leukocyte esterase
- LFT – Liver function tests
- LIS – Laboratory information system
- Lytes – Electrolytes
- MCH – Mean corpuscular hemoglobin
- MCV – Mean corpuscular volume
- Mg – Magnesium
- MPV – Mean platelet volume
- Na – Sodium
- NAAT – Nucleic acid amplification test
- NH3 – Ammonia
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.