Red Indices in Dehradun

What is a Red Indices?

The red cell indices describe the average size and haemoglobin content of your red blood cells, and they are what turn a finding of anaemia into a direction of enquiry. MCV, mean corpuscular volume, is the average cell size and is the most useful of the three. MCH and MCHC describe how much haemoglobin each cell carries and how concentrated it is. Anaemia is classified by MCV into three groups, and each points somewhere different. Small cells, a low MCV called microcytic anaemia, suggest iron deficiency or a thalassaemia trait, both common in India. Large cells, a high MCV called macrocytic anaemia, suggest vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, and also occur with alcohol excess, an underactive thyroid and certain medicines. Normal-sized cells with anaemia, normocytic anaemia, point towards blood loss, chronic disease or kidney disease. There is one important trap: when iron and B12 deficiency coexist, which is common on a vegetarian diet, the small cells of one and the large cells of the other can average out to a normal MCV and hide both, which is why doctors look at the full picture rather than the index alone.

Why take this test?

Red cell indices are advised whenever anaemia is found or suspected, because they determine which follow-up test to order and so avoid testing blindly. A low MCV directs attention to iron studies and, if those are normal, to a haemoglobin variant analysis for thalassaemia trait, a distinction that matters greatly because iron supplements do not help thalassaemia and long-term unnecessary iron can be harmful. A high MCV directs attention to vitamin B12 and folate. They are also used to monitor treatment, since cells produced after effective iron therapy are normally sized and the average shifts back over weeks. They arrive automatically as part of a Complete Blood Count, so they are rarely ordered separately, but they are frequently the most useful numbers on that report and are worth understanding when you read it.

• Anaemia found on a Complete Blood Count
• Persistent tiredness, breathlessness or pallor
• Deciding whether to order iron studies or vitamin B12
• Suspected thalassaemia trait, especially with a family history
• Monitoring response to iron, B12 or folate treatment
• Unexplained anaemia in pregnancy

Normal reference ranges

Ranges are indicative for adults. Your report carries the lab-specific reference range and is reviewed by a LabONE pathologist; always interpret results with your doctor.

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