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Blood test Formed elements of blood High blood pressure tests

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RBC count

Alternative Names: Erythrocyte count; Red blood cell count Normal Values: RBC (varies with altitude): male: 4.7 to 6.1 million cells/mcl female: 4.2 to 5.4 million cells/mcl Note: cells/mcl = cells per microliter Text Continues Below What abnormal results mean: Abnormal RBCs have a shorter-than-normal life span. Trauma within the blood vessels, such as that caused by artificial heart valves or peripheral vascular (blood vessel) disease, can damage RBCs. An enlarged spleen, as can be caused by portal hypertension or leukemia, may remove normal red cells along with aging ones. Higher-than-normal numbers of RBCs may indicate: congenital heart disease cor pulmonale pulmonary fibrosis polycythemia vera dehydration (such as from severe diarrhea) kidney disease with high erythropoietin production Lower-than-normal numbers of RBCs may indicate: anemia (various types) hemorrhage (bleeding) bone marrow failure (for example, from radiation, toxin, fibrosis, tumor) erythropoietin deficiency (secondary to kidney disease) hemolysis (RBC destruction) from transfusion reaction leukemia multiple myeloma malnutrition nutritional deficiencies of: iron folate vitamin B-12 vitamin B-6 overhydration Additional conditions under which the test may be performed: Alport syndrome hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia immune hemolytic anemia macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) primary myelofibrosis renal cell carcinoma drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia congenital anemias, such as thalassemia

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