MCHCg/L
Typical optimal range
Optimal range varies by lab and individual context.
Most UK laboratories report a reference interval in the region of 315–360 g/L, though exact cut-offs vary between analysers and labs, so your own lab's reference range is the one that matters. These figures are indicative — the range printed on your own lab report is the definitive one for your results.
Interpretation of full blood count parameters, including MCHC, follows NHS and laboratory medicine guidance as set out by the British Society for Haematology and the Association for Clinical Biochemistry.
What is MCHC?
MCHC, or mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, measures the average concentration of haemoglobin within a given volume of red blood cells. It is calculated automatically by modern analysers as part of a full blood count (FBC) and expressed in grams per litre (g/L). Because it reflects how densely packed with haemoglobin each red cell is, MCHC helps clinicians distinguish between different types of anaemia and assess the overall health of red blood cells.
What a high MCHC means
A raised MCHC is an unusual finding and may signal that red blood cells are abnormally concentrated with haemoglobin or that something is interfering with the measurement; it warrants a closer look at the full blood count picture.
- Hereditary spherocytosis. In this inherited condition, red blood cells are rounder and smaller than normal, which raises the MCHC. It is one of the more common causes of a genuinely elevated MCHC and may also present with mild anaemia and jaundice.
- Haemolytic anaemia. Conditions in which red blood cells are destroyed prematurely can cause haemoglobin to become concentrated or released from cells, pushing the MCHC upward. Your GP would likely check additional markers such as bilirubin and reticulocyte count.
- Specimen or laboratory artefact. A high MCHC reading is sometimes the result of a technical issue — for example, if the blood sample has been handled incorrectly, stored too long, or if there is lipaemia or agglutination present. Your GP or practice nurse may request a repeat sample to confirm the result.
A mildly raised MCHC on a single occasion is often a laboratory or sample artefact and may not reflect a true abnormality; repeat testing usually clarifies the picture.
What a low MCHC means
A low MCHC indicates that red blood cells are less densely filled with haemoglobin than normal — a finding commonly associated with anaemia where the cells appear pale (hypochromic) and is often clinically significant.
- Iron-deficiency anaemia. This is the most common cause of a low MCHC in the UK. When iron stores are depleted, the body cannot produce enough haemoglobin to fill red cells adequately, resulting in small, pale cells with a reduced MCHC.
- Thalassaemia trait. Inherited variants in haemoglobin genes, particularly alpha- or beta-thalassaemia trait, can produce small, hypochromic red cells and a low MCHC even without significant anaemia. Your GP may arrange haemoglobin electrophoresis to investigate further.
A low MCHC is usually interpreted alongside the MCV (mean cell volume), serum ferritin, and other iron studies to identify the underlying cause accurately.
Should I be worried?
A single out-of-range MCHC result, particularly a mildly high one, is often the result of a sampling issue and may resolve on a repeat test. However, a persistently low MCHC — especially alongside a low haemoglobin or MCV — is worth discussing with your GP, as it commonly points to iron deficiency or a haemoglobin disorder that is very treatable once identified. Your GP will usually interpret MCHC as part of the full blood count rather than in isolation, and may check ferritin, B12, folate, or request further tests depending on the overall picture. There is no need to worry unduly, but do follow up on any flagged result rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.
What actually helps
If a low MCHC is linked to iron deficiency, the following lifestyle and dietary factors have good evidence behind them for supporting healthy haemoglobin levels.
- Increase dietary iron intake. Eating a varied diet with adequate iron-rich foods is the first line of support. Haem iron from meat and fish is absorbed more readily than non-haem iron from plant sources.
- Pair iron with vitamin C. Consuming vitamin C alongside plant-based iron sources — for example, a glass of orange juice with a lentil dish — significantly enhances non-haem iron absorption in the gut.
- Limit iron absorption inhibitors around meals. Tea, coffee, and calcium-rich foods can reduce iron absorption if consumed at the same time as iron-rich meals; spacing them out by around an hour can make a practical difference.
- Follow GP advice on iron supplementation. If your GP diagnoses iron-deficiency anaemia, oral iron supplements are usually the first-line treatment; self-supplementing without a confirmed deficiency is not recommended as excess iron carries its own risks.
These foods have good supporting evidence for maintaining iron status and healthy red blood cell production.
Red meat and liver
Rich in highly bioavailable haem iron; liver is particularly concentrated but should be avoided in pregnancy due to its high vitamin A content.
Oily fish and shellfish
Provide haem iron alongside other nutrients that support red blood cell health, including B12 and zinc.
Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans)
Good plant-based sources of non-haem iron; absorption is enhanced when eaten with vitamin C-containing foods.
Dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale)
Contain non-haem iron and folate, both of which are important for normal red blood cell production.
Fortified breakfast cereals
Many UK cereals are fortified with iron and B vitamins, offering a practical daily contribution to iron intake, particularly for those following a plant-based diet.
Wholegrains and nuts
Provide modest amounts of non-haem iron and supporting micronutrients; a useful contribution as part of a varied diet.
Track your own MCHC
Upload a lab PDF and Better Days trends MCHC over time, flags it when it drifts, and suggests foods that help.
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Sources & further reading
These are reputable UK health resources for further reading. This page is written to be consistent with their guidance but is not a substitute for them.
For information only — not medical advice, and not individually reviewed by a clinician. Reference ranges vary by lab and individual. Discuss any results with a qualified clinician before making changes.