Low Energy? Cold Hands? The Hidden Oxygen Clue in Your Blood Test You Might Be Missing

Let me break it down for you.

What Is MCHC and Why Should You Care?

Hemoglobin is everything when it comes to energy. It's the little oxygen backpack your red blood cells wear as they travel through your body. It picks up oxygen from your lungs and delivers it to every single organ - your heart, brain, kidneys, muscles... all of it.

If your MCHC is off, even just a little, it means something is up with your body’s oxygen delivery system. And let me tell you, if your cells aren’t getting enough oxygen, you’re gonna feel it.

What’s a Healthy MCHC Range?

Doctors look for an MCHC between 32 and 36. Anything outside of that range is a red flag and I take it seriously.

Too low? You’re not getting the oxygen you need.

Too high? Your red blood cells might be too small or too packed, which can also be a sign of a deeper issue, like a rare blood condition or how your body is making blood in general.

Signs Your MCHC Might Be Off

Here’s how it usually shows up:

• You’re always cold
• You look pale
• You feel tired and weak, even after rest
• You’re short of breath doing normal things

In my clinic, when someone comes in like that, I go straight to their blood panel to check for hidden issues like anemia or chronic inflammation. MCHC helps us uncover these stealthy health clues.

So, What Affects MCHC?

Your diet. Big time.

When I see someone with low MCHC, the first thing I ask about is food. Are you getting enough iron? B12? These nutrients are key to keeping your hemoglobin and oxygen delivery system running strong.

Here’s what I recommend regularly:

• Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens)
• Red meat (in moderation)
• Eggs and fish
• Free range chicken
• Lentils and beans

And yes, B12 shots can help, but they’re not a magic bullet. You need the full nutritional picture. Supplements can support, but food must lead.

The Oxygen Backpack Analogy (This One’s Fun)

I like to explain it like this: Imagine your red blood cells are carrying little backpacks. Inside those backpacks? Logs of oxygen.

If your hemoglobin is weak, it’s like trying to carry five logs in a busted-up backpack - you’re not getting very far. But when your hemoglobin is strong and balanced, you’ve got a sturdy pack, and your body can go the distance.

That’s why when people tell me they’re tired all the time, I don’t just give them a pat on the back - I check their packs. Their oxygen carriers.

Final Thoughts: Let Food Be Your Medicine

If you're feeling off, pale, weak, foggy, or just not yourself, don't ignore it. Your MCHC might be quietly waving a red flag. Let your doctor run a panel, but also listen to what your body is telling you.

And above all, remember what I always say:

Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food.

Because energy isn’t something you get from a coffee cup. It’s built, day by day, bite by bite, in the deepest parts of your cells with every nutrient you feed them.

Courtesy of Dr. Roni DeLuz, ND, RN: Podcast 71