1. ERYTHROCYTE INDICES

2.  Is the volume of average red blood cell measured in cubic micron  MCV= Packed cell volume x 10/red blood cell count  Normal value is 85±8 um3  MCV>normal is called Macrocytes  MCV<normal is called Microcytes  Normal MCV is called Normocytes,

3.  MCH It determines the mass of haemoglobin in an average erythrocyte.  MCH=Hb concentration X 10/Red blood cell count  The normal value is 29±2.5 picogram.  An increase in Hb increases MCH which can be detected in the blood smear by the decrease in the central light area(spheroid shape).  Decrease in Hb or increase in RBC will have less MCH AND increase in central light area.

4.  MCHC= Hb conc. gm/dl x 100/pcv  Normal value is 30-36%

5.  The following are the types of anemia and their causes:  Normocytic / normochromic (NC/NC) anemia is caused by sudden blood loss, prosthetic heart valves, sepsis, tumor, long-term disease or aplastic anemia.  Microcytic / hypochromic anemia is caused by iron deficiency, lead poisoning, or thalassemia.  Microcytic / normochromic anemia results from a lack (deficiency) of the hormone erythropoietin from kidney failure.  Macrocytic / normochromic anemia results from chemotherapy, folate deficiency, or vitamin B-12