Looking at the average size of these cells allows doctors a deeper look into an individual’s condition. A low result means the patient’s RBCs are smaller than the accepted standard, while a high result means the cells are bigger than normal. MCV stands for “Mean Corpuscular Volume.” This refers to the average size of an individual’s red blood cells. So when donating blood, for example, there’s a minimum hematocrit level required.Ī result below normal can signal anemia, while a result above the normal range could indicate conditions like polycythemia or erythrocytosis. It’s an important indicator of an individual’s general condition. Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in your blood. 2) Hematocritīlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. High hemoglobin, on the other hand, can be a sign of lung or heart disease. Going below the normal range typically means your tissues and organs are not getting sufficient amounts of oxygen. By measuring hemoglobin levels, you have an insight into how much oxygen is carried by your red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the component in the blood that carries oxygen. One can look at them in many different ways. Smoking and performance-enhancing drugs are also thought to increase RBC counts.Ĭounting RBCs is not enough to ascertain the character of an individual’s red blood cells. This can be brought about by a range of conditions-from lung disease to living in high altitudes where the air is thin. The body could be compensating for low oxygen levels so it is producing more RBC. A high RBC would be indicative of conditions like heart disease, sleep apnea, Polycythemia vera, etc. High RBC Count: Like in the case of low RBC count, it’s difficult to pinpoint a culprit. Nevertheless, a low RBC means the body needs to work harder to get oxygen into the different organs and tissues. A low reading could indicate some vitamin deficiency, like folate, vitamin B6/B12-or kidney disease or anemia.Īs previously mentioned, the low count can be symptomatic of many things and your physician is in the best position to diagnose the cause. Low RBC Count: A patient with low RBC may feel weak, tired, and light-headed. Oftentimes, your doctor will suggest further tests to look into a condition.) Going above or below the range of values does not automatically suggest something is wrong. Having “high” or “low” results can have a myriad of causes and do not necessarily pinpoint a disease. (Before continuing, it is important to note that a CBC is just one of the diagnostic tools your physician uses to diagnose a condition. Standards may differ depending on factors like gender or age, but according to the Philippine Heart Center, the normal range of values for RBC is 4.5 – 5.2 x 10 12/L for men and 4.0 – 4.5 x 1012/L for women. Without it, cells cannot perform even their most basic functions. Through blood circulation, oxygen reaches the tissues and other vital organs. They transport oxygen to the different parts of the body. There are 2.5 million blood cells produced every second, and they have a very important function. These are cells produced in the bone marrow and have a life span of 120 days. There are about 5 million red blood cells (or erythrocytes) in a single drop of blood. Red blood cells comprise around 45% of the blood.
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