Erythrocyte Indices Hematology Review 306
INDEX DEFINITION MANUAL CALCULATION REFERENCE RANGES COMMENTS
Mean corpuscular
volume (MCV)
Mean corpuscular
hemoglobin (MCH)
Mean corpuscular
hemoglobin
concentration
(MCHC)
Average volume of RBC
Average weight of hgb
in individual RBCs
Average concentration
of hgb per dL of RBCs
MCV =
MCH =
MCHC =
HCT (%) 10
RBCs ( 1012 L )
¥
¥ /
HGB (g/dL) 10
RBC ( 1012 L)
¥
¥ /
HGB (g/dL) 100
HCT (%)
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80–100 fL
27–31 pg
32–36 g/dL
Used to classify anemias.
Normal MCV = normocytic.
MCV >100 = macrocytic.
MCV <80 = microcytic. MCV
is an average. Combination
of microcytes & macrocytes
may result in normal MCV.
Varies in proportion to MCV.
RBCs with normal MCHC =
normochromic (area of cen-
tral pallor 1/3 diameter of
cell). MCHC ↓in hypochromic
cells (↑central pallor). 50%
of hereditary spherocytosis
patients have MCHC ≥36.
MCHC >37 may indicate
problem with specimen
(hyperlipidemia, cold
agglutinins) or instrument.
