Red Blood Cell Count
Track RBC count for oxygen transport and anemia assessment. Learn about blood health monitoring for wellness optimization.
What is Red Blood Cell Count?
Red blood cell count (RBC) measures the number of red blood cells per microliter of blood. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from your lungs to tissues throughout your body and returns carbon dioxide to your lungs for elimination.
Why is it Tested?
Doctors order RBC count to diagnose anemia, assess oxygen-carrying capacity, evaluate blood loss, investigate fatigue or weakness, and monitor blood disorders. It’s a key component of the complete blood count and helps guide treatment decisions.
Normal Ranges
Reference ranges vary by gender:
- Men: 4.5–5.5 × 10⁶/µL
- Women: 4.0–5.0 × 10⁶/µL
Values may be slightly higher in people living at high altitudes due to increased oxygen demand.
Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.
Low RBC Count (Anemia)
Reduced counts may indicate:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Blood loss (acute or chronic)
- Bone marrow disorders
- Chronic kidney disease
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Chronic inflammatory conditions
High RBC Count (Polycythemia)
Elevated counts suggest:
- Polycythemia vera
- Dehydration
- Lung disease
- Heart disease
- Living at high altitude
- Smoking
How to Track Over Time
RBC count trends help monitor anemia treatment response and detect developing blood disorders. Gradual changes may signal chronic conditions, while rapid changes might indicate acute bleeding or bone marrow dysfunction. Tracking alongside hemoglobin and hematocrit provides comprehensive assessment.
Track your Red Blood Cell Count results over time
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