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Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

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Red Blood Cell Count

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RBC

Description

"Red Blood Cell Count" (RBC) test measures how many red blood cells are in your blood, providing insight into oxygen delivery and blood health. It’s often used to detect anemia, dehydration, or polycythemia. Low RBC levels may suggest iron deficiency or chronic illness, while high levels could point to heart disease or fluid imbalance. Doctors use this test to assess symptoms like fatigue or dizziness and guide treatment. Regular testing helps catch changes early and maintain healthy blood function.

"Red Blood Cell Count" (RBC) test measures how many red blood cells are in your blood, providing insight into oxygen delivery and blood health. It’s often used to detect anemia, dehydration, or polycythemia. Low RBC levels may suggest iron deficiency or chronic illness, while high levels could point to heart disease or fluid imbalance. Doctors use this test to assess symptoms like fatigue or dizziness and guide treatment. Regular testing helps catch changes early and maintain healthy blood function.

Category

Blood Cells

Procedure

Invasive

Sample Type

Blood – Whole Blood

Units

Trillion Per Liter

Procedure Category

Blood Draw

Test Group

Hematology Group, Hydration Level Group, Blood Count Basic Group

Test Group Description

Blood Count Basic Group: This group includes essential tests for evaluating blood cell counts, providing foundational information for assessing overall blood health, and detecting potential abnormalities. Hydration Level Group: By evaluating hydration status and fluid balance, it offers insights into overall hydration levels and related health considerations. Hematology Group: Tests within this group focus on evaluating various aspects of blood health and function. These assessments provide insights into red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other components of the blood.

Optimal Range

For Men:

  • Conventional Unit: 4.50–5.50 ×10⁶/µL

  • SI Unit: 4.50–5.50 ×10¹²/L


For Women:

  • Conventional Unit: 4.10–5.00 ×10⁶/µL

  • SI Unit: 4.10–5.00 ×10¹²/L

Normal Range

For Men:

  • Conventional Unit: 4.14–5.80 ×10⁶/µL

  • SI Unit: 4.14–5.80 ×10¹²/L


For Women:

  • Conventional Unit: 3.77–5.28 ×10⁶/µL

  • SI Unit: 3.77–5.28 ×10¹²/L

Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)

Increased levels may indicate:


  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Progressive lung disease)

  • Congenital heart disease (Heart defects present at birth)

  • Dehydration

  • Erythropoietin-producing tumors (Tumors producing excess erythropoietin hormone)

  • High altitude (Increased altitude leading to decreased oxygen levels)

  • Hypo...

Key Reasons For Testing

  • Anemia Diagnosis: Identifies reduced red blood cell levels to diagnose anemia and guide treatment.

  • Blood Loss Monitoring: Evaluates blood loss severity in trauma, surgery, or bleeding disorders.

  • Bone Marrow Function Evaluation: Assesses bone marrow activity to identify disorders like aplastic anemia or leukemia.

  • Polycythemia Assessment: Differentiates between primary and secondary causes of elevated red blood cell levels.

Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess

Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.

Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test

Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.

References

Important Note

Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.


Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.

Disclaimer

This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.


Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.

[1] Bain BJ. Blood cell morphology in health and disease. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2016;67:2-7.

[2] Williams DM. Red blood cell function and indices. J Clin Pathol. 1987;40(9):979-985.

[3] Gulati G, Song J, Florea AD, et al. Red blood cell indices in the diagnosis of anemia: focus on the MCV. Clin Lab Med. 2015;35(1):61-74.

[4] Hoffbrand AV, Moss PAH. Essential Haematology. 7th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell; 2016.

[5] Grotto HZ. Red cell distribution width as a measure of anisocytosis and an indicator of clinical outcomes in cardiovascular diseases. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2009;47(6):685-693.

[6] Dunn A, Carter J, Fretwell SD. RBC indices: an essential part of anemia diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 1993;48(3):809-813.

[7] Green R, King R. A clinical perspective on vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. Clin Lab Haematol.2001;23(4):209-227.

[8] Kitchen S, Jennings I, Preston FE. Importance of full blood count and red cell indices in the management of anemia. Br J Haematol. 2002;117(3):385-390.

[9] Thomas C, Thomas L. Anemia diagnosis: red blood cell indices revisited. Clin Chem Lab Med.2002;40(12):1233-1237.

[10] Weatherall DJ, Clegg JB. The thalassemia syndromes. Dis Mon. 1998;44(10):537-588.

[11] Bain BJ, Bates I, Laffan MA. Dacie and Lewis Practical Haematology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2017.

[12] McKenzie SB. Clinical Laboratory Hematology. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson; 2010.

[13] Sittampalam GS, Coussens NP, Brimacombe KR, et al., eds. Red blood cell analysis in hematological diseases. Assay Guidance Manual. Bethesda, MD: Eli Lilly & National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; 2017.

[14] Chandra S, Tripathi AK, Mishra S, et al. Role of red blood cell distribution width in evaluating anemia and cardiovascular risk. J Assoc Physicians India. 2012;60:20-24.

[15] Briggs C, Bain BJ. Investigating anemia in clinical practice. BMJ. 2020;370.

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