Red Cell Indices
Red Cell Indices
Mean
Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
cell indices allow the classification of anaemia. The value of MCV increases proportionally with the size of the RBCs (ie bigger the cell size –> the higher the MCV value)
a)Normocytic anaemia
a)Macrocytic anaemia
b)Microcytic anaemia
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Iron Deficiency
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Thalassemia
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Sideroblastic Anaemia
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) indicates the average mass of the hemoglobin per
RBC in a sample of blood. The haemoglobin in RBCs is located primarily in the peripheral,
leaving an area of pale staining area called the central pallor equal to approximately 30 to
45% of the diameter of the RBCs. Hence if the central pallor is expanded (Hypochromatic),
the concentration of the hemoglobin will then be reduced leading to a reduced MCH. On
the contrary, if the size of the central pallor is reduced, the hemoglobin concentration will
increase, so will the MCH.
Corpuscular Hemoglobin Conentration (MCHC)
Mean
Corpuscular Hemoglobin Conentration (MCHC) is the measure of the concentration
of hemoglobin in a given volume of packed RBCs. This red
cell indices allow a more
in-depth classification of anemia. The value of MCHC is a correlation of concentration of
hemoglobin and the size of the RBCs.