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High MCH and MCHC

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Posted 2/26/2019 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
I've read mixed messages on high levels of MCH and MCHC with Lyme. Anyone know if Lyme or co-infections can raise results? Also have low WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, but I've had those before.

Babesia can lower reds, but any idea about MCH and MCHC? They are just over high end of normal. Thanks.
Posted 2/26/2019 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
My understanding is that high MCH can be an indication of anemia from deficiency in B12 or folate. Any chance you are deficient in those or other B vitamins? Or possibly not absorbing the typical forms of them due to MTHFR mutation and therefore requiring methylated B12 and folate?

I would guess that you're right about babesia being involved but don't actually know. :-/
Posted 2/27/2019 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I can't speak to MCH, but in regards to all those other markers I was on the low end for all of them. But that all changed in the last six months as I've really focused on babesia treatment all those numbers have stabilized into normal range, so in my case I think it was mostly related to that infection.
Posted 2/27/2019 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
In case you haven’t googled it yet:

“MCH stands for mean corpuscular hemoglobin.

MCH levels refer to the average amount of hemoglobin found in the red blood cells in the body. Hemoglobin is a protein in the blood that allows red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the cells and tissues in the body.

Though they are very similar, MCH levels should not be confused with MCHC levels.

MCH levels are the average amount of hemoglobin that is in each red blood cell. MCHC levels are the average weight of that hemoglobin based on the volume of red blood cells. Both are a reflection of the health of the hemoglobin in the blood.

A high MCH blood count reading may be associated with a few different conditions. One such condition is known as microcytic anemia which occurs when the individual has a deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body. Another condition that may cause high MCH blood test readings is that of thyroid malfunction. Certain other vitamins and minerals may also cause high MCH blood test readings.


A high MCHC value is often present in conditions where hemoglobin is more concentrated within your red blood cells. It can also occur in conditions where red blood cells are fragile or destroyed, leading to hemoglobin being present outside of the red blood cells. “


Babesia treatment could cause the high mchc perhaps?
I’ve heard the term “smashing red blood cells” with regard to Babesia
Posted 2/27/2019 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Girlie - my thoughts are with you on the Babesia angle on that. My B-12 tests show normal readings, so that is out. Thought has been it must be related to Lyme/Babesia. The Lyme test came back negative from Labcorp today. Last time (about 3 months ago) it showed a lot of positives on it.

Mycoplasma was also very high 3 months ago and was again in today's results, along with the EBV. Funny thing was the MCH and MCHC were back in normal range, as were all my red blood counts. Not by a lot, but biig improvement.

The more I know, the less I understand.
Posted 2/27/2019 7:57 AM (GMT 0)

running wild said...
Girlie - my thoughts are with you on the Babesia angle on that. My B-12 tests show normal readings, so that is out. Thought has been it must be related to Lyme/Babesia. The Lyme test came back negative from Labcorp today. Last time (about 3 months ago) it showed a lot of positives on it.

Mycoplasma was also very high 3 months ago and was again in today's results, along with the EBV. Funny thing was the MCH and MCHC were back in normal range, as were all my red blood counts. Not by a lot, but biig improvement.

The more I know, the less I understand.

Yah - I know the feeling - Lately I’ve been just sticking my head in the sand....
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