What does mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) measure?

Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is a measure of the average concentration of hemoglobin within a given volume of red blood cells (RBCs). This value is expressed in grams per deciliter (g/dL) and is calculated by taking the hemoglobin level in the blood and dividing it by the hematocrit (the volume percentage of RBCs in blood). It provides valuable insight into the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and can help in diagnosing conditions such as anemia.

The other options refer to different measurements in blood analysis. The average size of red blood cells is determined by mean corpuscular volume (MCV), not MCHC. The number of white blood cells relates to the white blood cell count, while the concentration of plasma proteins pertains to total protein levels in plasma, which are distinct from the measurements that deal specifically with red blood cells and hemoglobin.