Question
"Dear doctor,
I had a reproductive health checkup and did some tests. All the biochemistry and endocrinology results were normal. However, my hematology test showed low MCV and MCH. My doctor suggested that my husband should also have a hematology test to see if his MCV and MCH are also low, as he is worried that if both of us have low levels, our child might have thalassemia. So doctor, how can I improve low MCV and MCH levels? What should we do if my husband's test results are also low?
Thank you."
Anonymous patient
Doctor's Response:
"Dear patient,
Regarding your question about how to improve low MCV and MCH levels, I would like to explain as follows:
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) reflects the average volume of red blood cells in the blood. MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) reflects the average amount of hemoglobin in a red blood cell. Low MCV and MCH indicate microcytic anemia, which can be caused by iron deficiency, thalassemia, or other hemoglobinopathies. The specific cause needs to be determined to provide appropriate treatment.
In Vietnam, thalassemia is a common genetic disorder. The carrier rate of the thalassemia gene in the Kinh people is about 2-4%, and in ethnic minorities living in mountainous areas, this rate is very high: about 22% for the Muong people and over 40% for the Ede, Tay, and Thai people. If a mother has microcytic anemia, she may have latent thalassemia ( also known as carrying a recessive gene). If the father also has the same condition, there is a 25% chance that the fetus will have thalassemia (hemolytic anemia), which can significantly affect the child's development.
If both you and your husband have low MCV and MCH, you should both see a hematologist to determine the exact cause of the microcytic anemia. If it is due to a genetic cause, you should consult with a genetic counselor and consider preimplantation genetic testing to select healthy embryos.
If you have further questions about low MCV and MCH, you can visit Vinmec International Healthcare System for further examination and consultation. Thank you for trusting and sending your question to Vinmec. I wish you good health.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nguyen Thi Tam Ly
Resident Doctor, Master of Medicine.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Center – Vinmec Times City International Hospital
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