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Causes of increases and decreases in the average hemoglobin concentration in the erythrocyte
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
MCHC is used for differential diagnostics of anemias. A decrease in MCHC is typical for hypochromic iron deficiency anemias, an increase - for hyperchromic ones. A decrease in MCHC is observed in diseases accompanied by a violation of hemoglobin synthesis.
Diseases and conditions associated with changes in MCHC
Increase MCHC |
Decreased MCHC (less than 31 g/L) |
Hyperchromic anemia:
Hyperosmolar disturbances of water-electrolyte metabolism |
Hypochromic anemia:
Hypoosmolar disturbances of water-electrolyte metabolism |
The MCHC value allows diagnosing the nature of water-electrolyte imbalance disorders. In this case, it is necessary to analyze the direction of the change in MCHC values, and not their absolute values, since analyzers measure erythrocytes in an artificial isoosmotic medium.