RBC Indices/Caclulations

Question 1

MCV

Answer 1

Hct (%) x 10 / RBC (x 10^12/L)

Gives the average size of RBCs

Normal value is 80-100 fL

Question 2

MCH

Answer 2

Hgb (g/dL) x 10 / RBC (x 10^12/L)

Normal: 28-34 pg

Calculates average amount of oxygen-carrying Hgb inside an RBC

Question 3

MCHC

Answer 3

Hgb (g/dL) x 100 / Hct (%)

32-36 g/dL

Calculates the average conc of Hgb inside a red cell

A result of 36 g/dL may indicate something is wrong like cold agglut, you need to prewarm the tube before running tests.

Question 4

RDW

Answer 4

Parameter that measures variability of RBC volume or size (anisocytosis).
Can be reported statistically as coefficient of variation and or standard devation respectively.
RDW - CV = 11.6-14.6% or ~12-14
Correlates with the degree of anisocytosis or variation in RBC width.
Normal range: 10-15%