The mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is the average concentration of haemoglobin in your red blood cells. Haemoglobin is the protein molecule that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen to tissues within your body.

    Your MCHC can fall into low, normal, and high ranges even if your red blood cell count is normal.

    There are a number of symptoms that people with low MCHC levels often have. These symptoms are generally tied to anaemia. They include:

    ·         fatigue and chronic tiredness

    ·         shortness of breath

    ·         pale skin

    ·         easily bruised

    ·         dizziness

    ·         weakness

    ·         loss of stamina

    People with slightly or recently low MCHC levels may not notice any symptoms at all.

    The most common cause of low MCHC is anaemia. Hypochromic microcytic anaemia commonly results in low MCHC. This condition means your red blood cells are smaller than usual and have a decreased level of haemoglobin.

    This type of microcytic anaemia can be caused by:

    ·         lack of iron

    ·         the inability of your body to absorb iron, which can be caused by conditions like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and gastric bypass surgery

    ·         chronic low-grade blood loss over time from a long menstrual cycle or peptic ulcers

    ·         haemolysis, or the premature destruction of red blood cells over time

    In more rare cases, low MCHC and hypochromic microcytic anaemia can be caused by:

    ·         cancer, including cancers that cause internal blood loss

    ·         parasitic infections like hookworm infections

    ·         lead poisoning

    If your doctor suspects that you have a low MCHC, they may order several blood tests, including:

    ·         a blood test that will examine your MCHC levels

    ·         a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) test, which measures the average volume of your red blood cells

    These tests may be included in a complete blood count (CBC). A CBC measures whether you have normal ranges of red and white blood cells.

    Through the results of the tests they order, your doctor should be able to determine exactly what type of anaemia you have, making it easier to find the underlying cause. This can help them create a course of treatment.

    Iron levels

    Your doctor may check your iron levels and iron-binding capacity, which measures if your body absorbs iron the way it’s supposed to.

    Blood loss

    If blood loss is thought to be the cause of your low MCHC score, your doctor will look for the source of the blood loss. The easiest to detect is abnormally long, frequent, or heavy menstrual cycles, as women can self-report this.

    Other conditions

    Your doctor may order diagnostic tests for other conditions, including:

    ·         An endoscopy, during which a lighted camera is moved through the upper part of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This can help find ulcers or cancer. As well, a biopsy performed during this procedure tests most reliably for celiac disease.

    ·         X-ray of your upper GI, which involves drinking a thick liquid containing barium. This substance makes it possible for some ulcers to show up on the X-ray of your stomach and small intestine.

    ·         Additional blood tests, which can provide some screening indicators for celiac or Crohn’s disease.