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Two Cases of False Elevation of MCHC
Clinical Laboratory
|July 5, 2024
Summary
Abnormally high mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) can be falsely elevated due to sample interferences like cold agglutination. Correcting for these interferences ensures accurate anemia diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical diagnostics
Background:
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a key indicator for anemia classification.
- Accurate MCHC is crucial for diagnosing anemia etiology and guiding treatment.
Observation:
- Two cases presented with falsely elevated MCHC.
- Potential interferences identified were cold agglutination and lipemia.
Findings:
- Interference correction using a 37°C water bath and plasma exchange normalized MCHC levels.
- Abnormal MCHC elevations were confirmed as pseudo-elevations due to sample interference.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider sample interferences when MCHC results are abnormally high.
- Effective interference correction methods are vital for accurate diagnostic reporting.
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