Haemoglobin per red cell
Biomarker library
Full Blood Count
MCH
MCH (mean cell haemoglobin) is the average amount of haemoglobin inside each red blood cell: how well stocked each oxygen carrier is.
Measured in your health assessment, with a doctor to explain your result. Book yours
Why it matters
It closely follows cell size, because smaller cells hold less haemoglobin and larger cells more. Labs report it with MCV and MCHC to describe the overall pattern of your red cells.
What a result can mean
Lower than the range
A lower MCH, with cells that look paler under the microscope, is typical of iron deficiency and of thalassaemia trait.
Higher than the range
A higher MCH usually comes with larger cells, as seen with low B12 or folate, regular alcohol intake, thyroid or liver conditions.
What can help
MCH is a pointer rather than a target. It improves when the underlying cause, usually a shortage of iron, B12 or folate, is corrected.
Read it with
NoteGeneral educational illustration. Colours, sizes and movement are simplified. This is not a scan or a simulation of your body. General information, not personal medical advice: a doctor reads your own results with your history.
Know your MCH.
Measured in your health assessment and explained by the doctor who reviews your results.