Wondering if anyone knows what causes an elevated MCH reading (from complete metabolic panel test) and what does it mean? Is this just another symptom of Lyme and Co?
How can this be brought back to its normal range? Diet? Supplements? Etc.?
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
I have this same thing. Hope someone comes along with some info. Also I have a slightly low red blood count. I think the MCH is the size of the red blood cells, but not sure.
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Mean Cell Hemoglobin???
enlarged cells due to low hemoglobin content in the RBCs...indicating anemia?
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
So it means anemia? Wouldn't the ferritin (Iron) tests have come back low or is this a different type of anemia? Are there different types of anemia? Red cells versus white cells? From what I can read off her test result sheet, everything else looks within normal range.
(Although her CD57 has gone even further down versus up--was 21 now is 19!)
Anyone else know more about what this is indicating, and if it is in fact anemia, why is the LLMD stating that her blood tests look normal? I would think anemia would explain a lot of why she is so fatigued.
What should I give her to help eliminate the anemia or help build up the necessary blood cells --red cells or white cells?--not sure which ones need to be increased to eliminate the anemia.
Thanks for your help!
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Please if you have elevated MCH have them check
protein. Most will not do this relying on
Hemoglobin levels only. I discovered my protein was
extremely low. Meaning it looked like something
was in the cells, big fat juicy, but it was not
protein. Which is why a lot of Lyme patients are
denied anything is wrong with them and left to be
sick. Have them check protein.
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
Maybe the LLMD already tested this and that's why they are saying results look normal?
What should I look for on her test result sheet? Will it just simply list protein? Or should I be looking for some other name? And if it isn't on her results sheet, what test should I ask for, again just protein test?
Pinelady, when you discovered your protein level was low, how did you correct that? Did you just eat more protein rich foods or did you add a particular supplement, etc.? Did your fatigue abate once this was corrected?
Thank you so much.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
I asked a doc at Nashville to find out why and how
my blood had lied all this time. Since I tested
Igenex +. He did. He checked protein. He apologized
he could not treat but could refer me to someone
who could. I owe so much to this doc. Test will say
protein. Not iron, not hemoglobin-protein.
Posted by Amanda (Member # 14107) on :
I have had my MCH and MCV (mean corpusuclre volume) go high. And interestingly, my CD 57s are low. I noticed that when the MCH and MCV got high, my CD 57s would go low (below 20).
The LLMD seemed to think this might be related to Babesea, or other blood parasite, but wasn't sure. Could be just coincidence.
I don't think I ever tested for protein. But I would be surprised if it was low, I eat a lot of protein. But maybe I will check this to be sure.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
If the value is increased check for B12 deficiency, if decreased, check for iron deficiency.
Best, Timaca
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
So based on the link she has a B12 deficiency?
She takes sublingual B12 1000mg tablets every day as well as a B-Complex.
Is there a blood test to check these levels?
I guess I'm relieved that it is "only" a B12 deficiency versus anemia, somehow anemia sounds more dangerous--would a B12 deficiency cause fatigue and/or headache?
I'm not so sure I'll be able to convince the LLMD to give her a protein test and B12 test but hopefully I can.
Thanks everyone for your help in deciphering this.
Posted by Marz (Member # 3446) on :
Is your RBC low? I heard that parasites in red blood cells (babesia) can cause that combination.
ie. low RBC, high MCH
Posted by Amanda (Member # 14107) on :
Babesea can cause fatigue and headaches. It doesn't always present as strong anemia either, the red blood cells can be just a little off.
b12 deficiency can cause anemia too.
Any type of anemia is likely to make you feel tired...
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
When you say to check "protein" -- what do you mean? My MCH is always high too. Monocyctes as well.
Posted by JesseSapp (Member # 16630) on :
Doesn't mean much in isolation at all. An elevated MCV, MCH and decreased HGB would indicate macrocytic anemia. If that is the case, folate or B12 deficiency is most likely. But, an elevated MCH in isolation is meaningless. If you give me the totality of your CBC w/diff I can interpret it for you.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Oh my. Yes replace B12 the best way you can.
The subversion to the isolation is well noted.
I think most kids would prefer the sublingual over the shots.
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
So, I reviewed her lab results sheet, and it looks like the MCH is elevated in isolation because her MCV is just at the cut off of being high @ 92 (with normal range being 80-92), and while the results sheet marks her MCH as high, it is just barely elevated at 31.8 with normal range being 27.3-31.7. I can't seem to find any heading of CBC w/diff. HgB (that's hemoglobin, right?) is normal at 13.4 (normal range 11.7-15.0).
So I guess I don't have to worry about this result?
I'll just continue to make sure she eats protein and iron rich foods and continues her B vitamins. Sound like an appropriate course?