Medelkorpusculärt

Medelkorpusculärt hemoglobin concentration, often abbreviated as MCHC, is a measurement of the average concentration of hemoglobin within a single red blood cell, or erythrocyte. Hemoglobin is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. MCHC is one of the red blood cell indices calculated from a complete blood count (CBC).

The calculation for MCHC is the mass of hemoglobin divided by the volume of red blood cells. It is typically expressed in grams per deciliter (g/dL) or grams per liter (g/L). Normal ranges for MCHC can vary slightly depending on the laboratory, but a typical range is between 32 to 36 g/dL.

An elevated MCHC, known as hyperchromia, can be seen in conditions such as hereditary spherocytosis, where red blood cells are abnormally spherical and more concentrated in hemoglobin. It can also be elevated in severe cases of dehydration.

A decreased MCHC, known as hypochromia, is commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia, where there is insufficient iron to produce adequate amounts of hemoglobin. Other causes of low MCHC include thalassemia and certain other anemias.

MCHC is a useful diagnostic tool that, when interpreted alongside other CBC parameters like red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, helps physicians diagnose and monitor various types of anemia and other blood disorders.