Red Blood Cell Count

Any other names for this test?

This test is also an erythrocyte count and a red cell count.

What is a red blood cell count?

A red blood cell (RBC) count checks the number of red blood cells that are present in your blood. Red blood cells supply oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. Your cells demand oxygen to develop, reproduce, and stay healthy. Hemoglobin, present in red blood cells, transports oxygen throughout the body.

What is a red blood cell count lab test?

A red blood cell count test measures the number of red blood cells in the blood. The quantity and efficiency of red blood cells determine how much oxygen is transported to the tissues in your body.
An RBC count is typically performed as part of a full blood cell (FBC) test. An abnormally high or low RBC count is frequently the first indicator of an illness. Therefore, the test can enable you to receive treatment even before you show symptoms.

What is the purpose of a red blood cell count test?

The purpose of this test is to identify red blood cell disorders like anemia, a condition in which the body does not make healthy red blood cells. This test is often part of a complete blood count (CBC) test, a collection of tests that examine many different aspects of your blood.

Why do I require a red blood cell count test?

The complete blood count (CBC), which is frequently included in a regular checkup, may have this test as part of the procedure. The doctor may also order this test if you exhibit signs of low or high red blood cell count.

 Low red blood cell count symptoms

 

• Fatigue/ tiredness
• Loss of breath
• Lightheadedness and weakness often occur while changing positions too quickly.
• Fast heartbeat
• light or pale skin
• Headaches

 

High red blood cell count symptoms

 

• Fatigue
• Breathing problems
• Sleeping problems
• Joint pain
• Pain in your palms or soles of your feet
• Itchy skin often occurs after taking a shower or bath.

Schedule a red blood cell count test right away, if you have any of the above symptoms.
 

How should I prepare for a red blood cell count test?

You do not need to prepare anything special for this test. However, tell your healthcare provider about any medicine or dietary supplement you are taking. These factors might affect the test results.
 

How does a red blood cell count test work?

 A red blood cell count is a basic blood test. From a vein in your hand, your healthcare provider will draw blood for testing.  Here is the guide for how this test is done.
 

• Your healthcare professional will first use an antibacterial to clean the puncture site.
• Afterward, he will wrap the hand's upper portion in an elastic band to force blood into the vein.
• He will now insert a little needle into the vein.
• Blood drawn into the needle will be put in a test container for testing.
• The blood test procedure has now finished.
• The blood testing procedure is now complete. A member of your medical team will take off the elastic band.

Is there any risk attached to a red blood cell count test?

Blood tests have a slight risk to them. You might feel a pinch of pain or a bruise around the area where the needle went. These symptoms, however, go away in two to three days.

What does the result mean?

The RBC ranges are measured in cells per microliter (L). The normal ranges of a red blood cell count test vary by gender and age. These ranges are:

• Females: 4.2–5.4 million cells/L
• Males: 4.7–6.1 million cells/L
• Children: 4.1–5.5 million cells/L
• Newborn: 4.8–7.1 million cells/L

 
These reference ranges may vary from laboratory to laboratory.

What does a low level of red blood cell count mean?

You have anemia if your RBC count results are below average. It can be due to a decrease in RBC production or the damage or loss of RBCs. Low red blood cells can lead to the following illnesses:
 

• Anemia
• Kidney failure
• Leukemia is a type of blood cancer.
• Malnutrition is a problem when the body does not get the vitamins, calories, and minerals it needs.
• Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow cancer.
• Chronic conditions

 
Pregnancy can also be a sign of low red blood cell count.

What does a high red blood cell count mean?

Erythrocytosis is a condition that arises when your RBC count results are higher than usual. It makes your blood thicker than usual and raises your risk of blood clots. The problems that can affect you if your test results are high
 

• Heart problems
• Lung illness
• Smoking
• Kidney cancer
• Dehydration
• Polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease

Is there anything else that I should do in addition to a red blood cell count test?

This test is often part of a complete blood count test. A CBC test has several other tests included in it. These tests are given below.
 

• Red blood cell test
• White blood cells
• Hemoglobin
• Hematocrit
• Platelets

 

Anything else I should know about a red blood cell count test?

You might require more tests to help with the diagnosis if the results showed that your red blood cell counts are low or high. These consist of

Reticulocyte count: A test to count the reticulocytes in the blood is called a reticulocyte count. Red blood cells that are still growing are known as reticulocytes. Also known as immature red blood cells.
The iron test:  It is the test that measures the iron in the blood. Red blood cells must have iron to be produced.
Vitamin B test: A vitamin B test is used to determine the blood's concentration of one or more B vitamins. Making red blood cells requires vitamin B.