What does the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) measure?

The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a specific measure that indicates the average concentration of hemoglobin within a single red blood cell. This parameter provides critical insight into the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells, which is essential for understanding various hematologic disorders.

MCHC is calculated by dividing the total amount of hemoglobin by the volume of red blood cells. A normal MCHC value suggests that red blood cells have an adequate amount of hemoglobin, while low levels may indicate conditions such as hypochromic anemia, where red blood cells have reduced hemoglobin content.

Understanding MCHC helps clinicians assess not just the hemoglobin concentration, but also the overall functionality of red blood cells in terms of oxygen transport efficiency. This is why the choice regarding the average concentration of hemoglobin in a single red blood cell is the correct answer. The other options pertain to different aspects of blood and red blood cell analysis, such as glucose concentration, total cell count, and cell size, which are distinct parameters not measured by MCHC.