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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Decrease In The MCH Level?

MCH 25.9 is flagged low from lab test yesterday. The lab left a comment to say HDL-C 59 mg/dl is considered a negative risk factor. Am guessing these are 2 questions and the latter is the summary to the full basic health check I did. However MCH is flagged low. Please advice. Thank you
Mon, 27 Jun 2016
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Brief Answer:
You should consume iron rich foods.
You should repeat the full blood count after three months.


Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM. There is nothing to be worried with your laboratory exams results.
MCH expresses the average content (mass, weight) of hemoglobin per red cell. Your MCH level (25.9) is low comparing to normal range (27-33 picograms (pg)/cell in adults). Usually, the alteration of MCV is associated with alteration of other parameters reflecting size and hemoglobin content of red cells, such as MCHC, MCV, that are used to aid in the differential diagnosis of anemia. As you have not mentioned the values of HGB, MCV, MCHC, I suppose they are within normal range. So you are not yet anemic, and you have red cells with low content of hemoglobin, leading to hypochromic red cells. The most common cause this finding is iron deficiency, due to low intake (low iron diet, low absorption due to gastritis etc.), or increased loose due to abundant menstruation, gastric ulcers etc.
An important indicator to be evaluated, is the ferritin blood levels as it measure the body's stores of iron.
Eventhough, at this point you need no treatment.
Meanwhile, you should consume foods rich with iron such as : red meat, pork, poultry, seafood, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots, iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.
After three months you should repeat the full blood count.
Regarding HDL levels, they are within normal range. HDL cholesterol is considered as the good cholesterol, which reduces the risk for heart disease, when is in normal or high levels. Meanwhile low levels increase the risk.

Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Juarda
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What Causes Decrease In The MCH Level?

Brief Answer: You should consume iron rich foods. You should repeat the full blood count after three months. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for using HCM. There is nothing to be worried with your laboratory exams results. MCH expresses the average content (mass, weight) of hemoglobin per red cell. Your MCH level (25.9) is low comparing to normal range (27-33 picograms (pg)/cell in adults). Usually, the alteration of MCV is associated with alteration of other parameters reflecting size and hemoglobin content of red cells, such as MCHC, MCV, that are used to aid in the differential diagnosis of anemia. As you have not mentioned the values of HGB, MCV, MCHC, I suppose they are within normal range. So you are not yet anemic, and you have red cells with low content of hemoglobin, leading to hypochromic red cells. The most common cause this finding is iron deficiency, due to low intake (low iron diet, low absorption due to gastritis etc.), or increased loose due to abundant menstruation, gastric ulcers etc. An important indicator to be evaluated, is the ferritin blood levels as it measure the body s stores of iron. Eventhough, at this point you need no treatment. Meanwhile, you should consume foods rich with iron such as : red meat, pork, poultry, seafood, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots, iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas. After three months you should repeat the full blood count. Regarding HDL levels, they are within normal range. HDL cholesterol is considered as the good cholesterol, which reduces the risk for heart disease, when is in normal or high levels. Meanwhile low levels increase the risk. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please close and rate the answer. Kind Regards, Dr. Juarda