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microcytic anemia AND diagnosis
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MedlinePlus complete blood count MCH low microcytosis iron deficiency
Your CBC is mostly normal.
| Test | Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin | 12.9 g/dL | Within this laboratory's range, though borderline-low for some adult male reference ranges |
| RBC count | 5.19 million/cumm | Normal to high-normal |
| WBC | 5,900/cumm | Normal |
| Platelets | 2.10 lakh/cumm | Normal |
| Neutrophils / lymphocytes | 56% / 35% | Normal proportions |
| MCV | 81.5 fL | Low-normal red-cell size |
| MCH | 24.9 pg | Low: red cells carry slightly less hemoglobin than expected |
| MCHC | 30.5 g/dL | Low-normal |
| HIV I/II | Negative | Negative on this report |
Main finding
The only clear issue is the low MCH, with MCV near the lower limit. This pattern is called mild hypochromia and can occur when hemoglobin production is reduced. Low MCH is commonly associated with iron deficiency; thalassemia trait is another possibility, especially when the RBC count is relatively preserved or high. The textbook reference similarly describes low MCH as hypochromia associated with impaired hemoglobin synthesis. MedlinePlus explains RBC indices
This does not show significant anemia, because the hemoglobin is near/within the stated normal range.
About the flagged absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts
The lab marked:
- Absolute neutrophils: 3,304
- Absolute lymphocytes: 2,065
But these are generally within commonly used adult ranges. The lab's printed reference intervals appear unusually high. Also, these results correctly match your total WBC and percentages, and the total WBC is normal. There is no obvious CBC evidence here of dangerous low white cells.
Sensible next tests
Discuss with a clinician and consider:
- Serum ferritin - best initial test for iron stores
- CRP if ferritin is borderline or inflammation is possible
- Serum iron, TIBC/transferrin, and transferrin saturation if needed
- Peripheral smear
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis/HPLC if iron stores are normal, there is a family history, or the pattern persists, to assess for thalassemia trait.
Do not start high-dose iron long-term without confirming iron deficiency, particularly because thalassemia trait can resemble this pattern on a CBC.
Seek medical care sooner if you have marked fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, fainting, black stools, blood in stool, frequent bleeding, or unintended weight loss.
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