Alternate Names : Blood Indices, Erythrocyte Indices, MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin), MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration), MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume), Red Cell Mass Measurement

Definition

Red blood cell (RBC) indices are part of the complete blood count (CBC) test. The indices include:

• Average red blood cell size (MCV)
• Hemoglobin amount per red blood cell (MCH)
• Hemoglobin concentration (hemoglobin amount relative to the size of the cell) per red blood cell (MCHC)

Red blood cells transport hemoglobin which, in turn, transports oxygen. The amount of oxygen received by tissue depends on the amount and function of RBCs and hemoglobin. The MCV, MCH, and MCHC reflect the size and hemoglobin content of individual red blood cells.

See also RBC count.