Red cell indices

It is the red cell absolute values.These are:

a)      MCV(Mean corpuscular volume)

b)      MCH(Mean corpuscular Haemoglobin)

c)      MCHC(Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration)

Absolute values of red cells are used in the morphological classification of anaemias:

[A]MCV: Obtained by dividing the packed cell volume (PCV) per litre by red cell count per litre.The results expresse in ft.

Result:If MCV is with in the normal range,than the red blood cells are normocytes.If MCV less 76 the red blood cells are microcytes.If MCV is more than 96,the RBC are macrocytes.

[B]MCH: Normal 27-32 pg(Picogram).The resutlt is obtained by divding haemoglobin in gram per by red cell per liter.The result is expressed in pg.

Result:Raised in macrocytic normochromic states.Lowered in hypochromic states due to iron deficiency.

[C]MCHC:Normal 31-35 g/dl.The result is obtained by diving hb in gram per dl by the PCV per liter.

Result:If MCHC is with in the normal range than the red cells are normaochramic.If MCHC is less than 32 g/dl then the red cells are hypochromic.