Red Blood Cell (RBC) Indices: Definitions and Calculations Mean cell (or corpuscular) volume (MCV) Mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) Mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

1. Red Blood Cell (RBC) Indices: Definitions and Calculations
RBC indices are calculated parameters that are part of an automated blood count report.
RBC indices have two primary uses:
1. Assist with the differentiation of anemias
2. Serve as quality control checks
RBC indices include:
 Mean cell (or corpuscular) volume (MCV)
 Mean cell hemoglobin (MCH)
 Mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
These parameters identify characteristics of the red cells that are circulating at the time that
the sample was collected. The table below summarizes the three parameters to include
definition, reporting units, formulas for calculation of each parameter, and a sample
calculation.
 MCV refers to the average size of the RBCs constituting the sample. Should a mixture
of cell populations be present, the sizes of the red cells will be averaged Reporting units
is femtoliters (fL). One femtoliter is 10-15
L. Reference interval for adults is typically
80 - 100 fL.
 MCH (Mean cell hemoglobin) refers to the average weight of hemoglobin in the RBCs
in the sample. Should a mixture of cell populations be present, the weights of the
evaluated cells will be averaged. Reporting units is picograms (pg). One picogram is
10 -12
grams. The reference interval for adults is typically 26 - 32 pg.
 MCHC (Mean cell hemoglobin concentration) refers to the average concentration of
hemoglobin in the RBCs contained within the sample. Should a mixture of cell
populations be present, the hemoglobin concentration within the evaluated cells will be
averaged. Reporting units is g/dL.Reference interval for adults is typically 32 - 36 g/dL.
Parameter Definition Units Formula Example
Mean cell volume
(MCV)
Average volume of
the red blood cell
(RBC)
Femtoliters (fL)
or 10-15
Liter
Mean cell hemoglobin
(MCH)
Average weight of
hemoglobin (Hb) in
the RBC
Picograms (pg)
or 10-12
grams
Mean cell hemoglobin
concentration
(MCHC)
Average
concentration of Hb
in the RBC volume
Grams/deciliter
(g/dL)
Qussai Abbas