What is HCM in a blood test

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

The blood test or hemogram is one of the key medical tests in detecting and diagnosing many conditions, disorders and diseases. With the blood analysis we can establish if there is a deficit of nutrients or if there is something altered in the functions of our body, hence the importance of knowing how to read a blood test correctly.

Among the data that appear on the results sheet, HCM is one of the most problematic, as many people do not know what it means. In the following FastlyHealarticle we will explain what HCM is in a blood test , but we will also tell you what its normal values ​​are and what happens when high HCM or low HCM is present.

What does HCM mean on a blood count

What is HCM

The acronym HCM is the acronym for Medium Corpuscular Hemoglobin, that is, HCM in a blood test is the amount of hemoglobin that is in all the red cells of our body.

Blood is the element that our body uses to transport a wide variety of substances through the body, however, it is not a single liquid, but is made up of different elements and structures that make it easier for these substances to be transported. Among these structures we find blood cells; white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. It is in the red cells where we find hemoglobin, an element that helps to bind and transport oxygen.

Taking into account that oxygen is an essential substance for our body, that from it we create energy, any alteration in hemoglobin levels will lead to numerous and serious symptoms.

HCM in a blood test

HCM is part of the tests that are carried out in a basic blood test. Among all the variables that are measured in a blood count, the HCM is one of the most important, because depending on the levels that appear , different diseases can be diagnosed . The HCM test in a blood test does nothing more than measure the total hemoglobin levels in the patient’s blood. Here we explain what the normal values ​​of HCM are.

HCM normal values

In a blood test, normal HCM values ​​are those between 30 and 37 grams per deciliter of blood . Therefore, the patient is considered healthy if his HCM test results are in the middle between these two figures.

A variation in these levels can mean different conditions, depending on the level of deviation and if it is done by excess or by default. This test is used as a reference, it is not a disease in itself, but it gives us information about the diseases that the patient could suffer.

Here’s more information about what happens if you have high or low HCM.

High HCM

High HCM: causes

When the blood test gives results above 33 pg per cell, the HCM levels are considered to be high. A high level of HCM is medically considered a symptom of macrocytic anemia , a condition that can be caused by different reasons:

  • The deficiency of vitamin B12 is one of the communes causes of high counts of HCM.
  • The thyroid dysfunction is another disease that can raise levels of HCM.
  • This alteration can also be the result of an excess or deficiency of certain vitamins or minerals .
  • The alcoholism and continued alcohol intake may be responsible for a high result of HCM.

High HCM: symptoms

High HCM can develop without the person being able to notice it, so many times only the symptoms of the base condition are those that manifest. Still, among the possible symptoms of high HCM we could find:

  • Acceleration of the heart rate.
  • Weakened nails
  • Pale skin.
  • Memory loss.
  • Confusion.

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Low HCM: causes

On the other hand, having a low HCM is not good news either. Contrary to what we mentioned in the previous case, low HCM values ​​indicate that the patient suffers from microcytic anemia. These are the different conditions that can cause it:

  • Loss of blood.
  • Lack of iron.
  • Having red blood cells that are too small.
  • Hemoglobinopathy.

Low HCM: symptoms

Just as with high HCM it can occur asymptomatically, the same happens with high HCM. Still, we can distinguish a series of symptoms that may appear in the patient:

  • Labored breathing
  • Dizziness
  • Yellow hue in the eyes.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Migraines and headaches.
  • Muscular weakness.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is HCM in a blood test , we recommend that you enter our category of Medication and medical tests .

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