MCHC stands for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. It describes the level of hemoglobin in your red blood cells.  Having low MCHC levels could mean you have anemia. It could also signify low iron, inflammation, or hemolysis.

Symptoms of low MCHC include weakness, irregular heartbeat, and breathing problems.

Learn more about low MCHC levels, including details about typical levels, causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) refers to the amount of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. MCHC is a laboratory value, not a clinical diagnosis. Many factors influence MCHC levels.

Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that transports oxygen around your body. It is also responsible for the red color of your blood.

Having low MCHC levels could mean you have anemia. 

Anemia is a medical condition in which you have an unusually low number of red blood cells. This reduces your body’s ability to transport oxygen to your tissues. Anemia can result from nutritional deficiencies, alcohol use, and several other factors.

In some cases, a person’s MCHC levels can be severely low. 

The table below lists the differences between low MCHC and severely low MCHC levels.

Low MCHC levels commonly result from factors that cause anemia.

Several types of anemia exist, including:

Additional factors that can cause anemia and low MCHC include:

People with a low MCHC often experience symptoms of anemia. 

However, symptoms may not be apparent if the condition is mild.

Report severe or persistent symptoms to your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Learn more about the symptoms of anemia.

A doctor will use the results of multiple laboratory tests to identify the cause of anemia.

An MCHC test is a standard part of a complete blood count (CBC). It measures the average amount of hemoglobin in a volume of red blood cells. It can also evaluate the type and severity of anemia. 

If a doctor needs further confirmation, they may conduct additional tests, such as:

Having extremely low MCHC may indicate severe anemia.

Severe anemia can have serious health implications, such as:

Severe anemia can also cause low stamina that can affect your daily routine and productivity.

Be sure to get prompt treatment to lower your risk of complications.

Learn more about the potential complications of anemia.

If clinicians identify a specific cause for the anemia, they will structure the treatment plan to address that problem. Otherwise, treatments for a low MCHC are similar to those for iron-deficiency anemia.

Your doctor may recommend a combination of dietary adjustments and medications.

These dietary adjustments may include:

If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may order a blood transfusion.

Blood transfusions may help increase the levels of red blood cells and iron in your blood.

Learn more about treatment for iron deficiency anemia.

You can take some measures to lower your risk of low MCHC.

First, try to increase your intake of iron and vitamin B6.

Vitamin B6-rich foods include:

See your doctor before making these or any other dietary additions.

Learn when you should take an iron supplement.

A low MCHC could mean you have anemia. It could also indicate low iron, inflammation, or hemolysis.

Symptoms include irregular heartbeat, headache, chest pain, and a loss of stamina. 

Doctors investigate the underlying cause by ordering some diagnostic tests, including blood tests, noninvasive imaging, and endoscopy.

Treatment focuses on treating anemia. Methods include high iron and vitamin B6 foods, iron supplements, and intravenous iron. In severe cases, a doctor may also perform a blood transfusion.

Seek treatment if you have symptoms of low MCHC.

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