Red blood cell (RBC) indices are individual components of a routine blood test called the complete blood count (CBC). The CBC is used to measure the quantity and physical characteristics of different types of cells found in your blood.
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RBC indices : MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW
Test Panel: Hemoglobin, Red Blood Cells (RBC), HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Platelets Count, White Blood Cells (WBC), DLC, ESR
Why Get Tested:
- These tests are useful for the diagnosis of the various types of Anemia.
When to get Tested:
- when you have signs and symptoms of anemia (weakness, fatigue).
- when you have signs and symptoms of polycythemia (dizziness, headache)
- At regular intervals to monitor a disorder that affects RBCs and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment
Sample Required:
- For Blood indices, the best sample is EDTA blood.
- Collect the blood in the lavender top tubes.
- Transport the blood to the lab where blood is run in the hematology analyzer for the calculation of blood indices.
- Blood is stable for 6 hours at 25 °C and for 24 hours at 4 °C.
- Fetal blood is collected percutaneous from the umbilical area.
Precations for sample
- Abnormal size of RBC may affect indices.
- Increased count of WBC will affect the indices.
- Increased reticulocytes count leads to abnormally high MCV.
- The presence of cold agglutinins gives false increased values of MCH, MCHC, and MCV.
Referance Ranges:
Test Name | Male | Female |
MCV | 75 – 95 fl | 75 – 95 fl |
MCH | 26 – 32 pg | 26 – 32 pg |
MCHC | 30-35 g/dl | 30-35 g/dl |
RDW | 11% – 14.5% | 11% – 14.5% |
MCV:
- Increased in:
- Pernicious anemia (vit B12 deficiency).
- Folic acid deficiency.
- Antimetabolite treatment.
- Chronic liver disease.
- Alcoholism.
- Decreased in:
- Iron deficiency anemia.
- Thalassemia.
- Chronic diseases.
MCH:
- Increased in:
- Macrocytic anemias.
- Newborn.
- Decreased in:
- Microcytic anemias.
- Hypochromic anemia.
MCHC:
- Increased in:
- Spherocytosis.
- Newborn and infants.
- Decreased in:
- Iron deficiency anemia.
- Thalassemia.
- Microcytic anemia with chronic blood loss.
Possible References Used