RBC in a blood test: what is it, the reasons for the increase and decrease. Blood test - erythrocytes (RBC): the norm for age and signs of indicator deviation What is the norm of rbc

The materials are published for review and are not a prescription for treatment! We recommend that you contact a hematologist at your healthcare facility!

Red blood cells (RBC) are highly specialized cells whose main task is to transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide back using the hemoglobin chromoprotein. A blood test for RBC examines the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and, in combination with other blood indicators, can tell a lot about the state of health.

RBC in a blood test is an important diagnostic test to determine the causes of many diseases.

Norms and deviations

The unit of measurement for the number of erythrocytes is considered to be the number of cells per unit volume of blood. The norms of the content of erythrocytes depending on gender and age are shown in the table.

Deviations from the norm are explained by physiological conditions and pathological consequences. The main reasons for the increase in the number of red blood cells are:

• dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, thirst and excessive sweating;
• systemic blood disease - erythremia;
• respiratory failure;
• heart failure;
• narrowing of the renal artery.

A decrease in rbc is called anemia. The main causes of anemia are:

• diet unbalanced in vitamins, microelements and proteins;
• blood loss;
• pathology of hematopoiesis;
• hemolysis.

Deciphering the results

The calculation of the number of erythrocytes is carried out in line with a standard blood test.

Important! Before donating blood, you should not take sunbaths, drink alcohol, or perform physiotherapy, otherwise deciphering the rbc blood test will lead to erroneous conclusions.

The average values ​​of the norm of erythrocytes in adults do not have significant differences. However, depending on the physiological state, normal indicators should be treated with caution. So, in pregnant women, the number of red blood cells in 1 ml of blood can fall below 3 * 10 9 cells, but this is not considered a pathology, because this physiological state involves a slowdown in the removal of fluid from the body, and the blood is simply diluted with water.

The intensity of metabolism in newborns is higher than in adults, so they need about one and a half times more red blood cells. At this time, for a number of reasons, there is an increased breakdown of red blood cells, in other words, hemolysis, but within a month, the level of red cells normalizes and differs little from those of an adult.

In old age, the intensity of metabolic processes fades and the need for oxygen carriers decreases. Due to the lack of load, part of the red bone marrow is converted to yellow.

High and low

An increase in the concentration of red blood cells above the normal limit is called erythremia. This condition is caused by the following reasons:

• smoking;
• carbon monoxide poisoning;
• long-term lung disease;
• kidney disease;
• liver pathology;
• heart disease;
• alcohol intoxication.

The above reasons can be assessed as pathological, but there are also physiological ones. When the water balance in the body changes, the rbc level can deviate significantly from the norm. This is profuse sweating, observed in athletes during competitions, as well as in people who are in conditions of high temperature. Sometimes the cause of fluid loss is vomiting or diarrhea.

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RBC stands for red blood cells, and RBC in a blood test is the absolute content of blood cells (erythrocytes), which contain hemoglobin and transport oxygen to organ cells and take in carbon dioxide. An increase or decrease in this indicator indicates the development of the disease. A general blood test allows you to determine the state of health of the patient.

How the analysis is carried out

It is important to properly prepare for the study, in which case it will be possible to obtain an accurate result. The analysis is carried out on an empty stomach. Eating before the study on the WBC RBC is excluded at least 4 hours in advance (it is advisable to adhere to an 8-hour fast). On the eve, it is forbidden to perform heavy physical work. You should also refrain from psycho-emotional overload. The best time for RBC analysis is in the morning.

To test for the level of red blood cells (RBC), blood is taken from a finger or vein. Moreover, doctors often examine venous blood, because the results are more informative. The data obtained in the study of capillary blood can sometimes be unreliable.

The laboratory assistant compresses the forearm with a tourniquet and asks the patient to clench and unclench his fist several times. The skin puncture site is treated with an antiseptic, a needle connected to a test tube is inserted into the venous vessel. Up to 5 cm³ of blood is taken for research. Then the needle is removed, the puncture site is treated with an alcohol solution. RBC tests can sometimes cause minor pain.

How often do you take a blood test?

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Only by prescription of the attending physician 30%, 949 votes

Once a year and I think it's enough 18%, 554 vote

At least twice a year 15%, 460 votes

More than twice a year but less than six times 11%, 344 vote

I monitor my health and take it once a month 6%, 197 votes

I'm afraid of this procedure and try not to pass 4%, 135 votes

21.10.2019

Norm

The RBC norm for women, men and children is different.

adults

RBC in a blood test, the norm in an adult differs by gender. So, the norm for men is from 3.9 × 1012 to 5.5 × 1012 cells per liter of blood, and the norm for women is from 3.9 × 1012 to 4.7 × 1012 cells. In adult women, the rate indicating the number of red blood cells differs due to menstruation.

babies

The rate of red blood cells in 1012 per liter of blood varies by day, week and month of the baby's life:

• in cord blood - 3.9-5.5;
• in the first days of life - 4-6.6;
• by the end of the first week - 3.9-6.3;
• at 2 weeks of age - 3.6-6.2;
• in 1 month - 3-5.4;
• in a two-month-old child - 2.7-4.9;
• up to six months - 3.1-4.5;
• up to a year - 3.4-5.

Children

RBC scores in the analysis of children differ according to age:

• up to 12 years - 3.5-5 (the indicator is not affected by gender);
• in adolescents 13-16 years old - 4.1-5.5;
• 16-18 years old - 3.9-5.6.

Deviations

The decoding of the study can show both increased and decreased levels of red cells. Deviations from the norm indicate the development of a disease in the body.

Reduced

With a reduced amount of RBC, the patient needs to undergo additional medical examinations. The pathological level of RBC indicates the development of severe pathologies requiring immediate treatment.

The process of reducing the number of red blood cells in the blood means the development of erythrocytopenia in the patient. Most often, the level of these cells decreases due to anemia or massive blood loss. Among the most common causes of erythrocytopenia are:

• reinforced;
• malignant neoplasms of the hematopoietic system;
• myeloma;
• spread of metastases;
• chronic inflammatory pathologies;
• hereditary pathologies of the process of blood production;
• autoimmune pathologies;
• diseases of the kidneys and urinary organs;
• chemotherapy;
• increased water content.

In addition, RBC decreases as a result of insufficient intake of cyanocobalamin - vitamin B12. Because of this, erythropoiesis suffers, that is, the process of formation of blood cells. Some pathologies of the digestive tract lead to the fact that iron is not sufficiently absorbed in the body. Low iron content in the blood is the reason for the decrease in the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells.

The reduction of RBC is facilitated by the use of barbiturates and their derivatives.

This is also facilitated by the observance of a diet with the rejection of meat products. The body does not receive the most important nutrients, which is why the process is disturbed in it.

In the list of the first laboratory tests prescribed for the diagnosis of diseases, there is often a blood test. The composition of this biological fluid is a direct reflection of the state of human health. The parameters to be diagnosed are often abbreviated and not always clear. For example, RBC in a blood test - what it is, how it stands for, patients do not know.

What does RBC mean in a blood test?

The abbreviation RBC as a result of a blood test indicates the number of red blood cells. The abbreviation stands for red blood cells - red blood cells. The results form displays reference values ​​that reflect the norm indicators. However, to decrypt the data, it is necessary to take into account many features.

By themselves, erythrocytes in the blood, the rate of which changes with age, are transport cells. With their help, oxygen is delivered along with blood to tissues and internal organs. Outwardly, they resemble a disc concave on both sides. This shape allows them to absorb more oxygen molecules. The cells contain hemoglobin, which gives them a red color.

RBC blood test - interpretation, norm

Having found out what RBC means in a blood test, what kind of indicator it is, let's pay attention to the features of its decoding. The formation of red blood cells occurs in the bone marrow from the precursors of the erythrocyte germ of hematopoiesis. Cells function for 120 days, after which they are utilized by the spleen and partly by the liver. Red blood cells retain their properties until their unique shape is changed. Thanks to it, the movement of red blood cells through small vessels occurs.

The number of red blood cells reflects the ability of the blood to supply oxygen. A decrease in this indicator indicates the pathology of the body. When evaluating the results of the study, doctors often pay attention to red blood cells, the rate of which varies depending on the age and gender of the patient.

RBC blood test - transcript, norm in children

As children grow and mature, red blood cells increase in number. At the same time, differences are observed depending on gender. If there are practically no differences in indicators for girls and boys, then for boys and girls they are clearly expressed. So, for newborn babies, the norm of these cells in the bloodstream should be within 4.1–7.0x10 12 / l. At this time, the body is actively supplied with oxygen. Over time, part of the red blood cells breaks down. Already by six months of life, the norm is set at the level 2.9–4.8x10 12 / l.

Even lower values ​​are observed in children who are 1 year old. By this time, the number of erythrocytes in the bloodstream is 3.1–4.6x10 12 / l. After this age, the indicator begins to gradually increase, and it differs in adolescents of different sexes. So, for girls 12-15 years old - 4.1–5.5x10 12 /l, in boys - 3.5–5.0x10 12 /l. Only in this period, the number of red blood cells in the blood of female representatives exceeds that of male representatives. With further maturation and development, there is a change in the situation in the opposite direction.

RBC blood test - transcript, norm in women

Often, after the study, a reduced RBC is detected in a blood test - the norm for women of reproductive age. This is due to the physical characteristics of the female body. Every month, cyclical changes occur in the reproductive system, ending with menstruation. Abundant spotting often causes a decrease in red blood cells. Doctors take this feature into account when evaluating the results of the analysis. In the fair sex, erythrocytes are often lowered - the norm in women is set within 4.0–4.5x10 12 /l.

RBC blood test - transcript, norm in men

Due to the physiological characteristics, large muscle mass, red blood cells in men are contained in a larger amount in the blood. In this regard, for the representatives of the stronger sex, their own RBC norm has been established. So, for men aged 18–65, this figure should be 4.5–5.5x10 12 / l. Physicians are guided directly by this figure, evaluating a blood test.

RBC blood test is elevated - what does it mean?

The condition in which elevated red blood cells are found in the blood is called erythrocytosis. The causes of this phenomenon can be both pathological (associated with the disease) and physiological. Thus, it has been found that people living in highlands always have an increased RBC index. This is due to the fact that the body tries to make up for the lack of oxygen in the body, accelerating the processes of gas exchange. However, as medical observations show, an increase in red blood cells is more often caused by pathological conditions.

Increased red blood cells - causes

Even patients about RBC in a blood test, what it is, is often unaware of an increase in the rate. At the same time, doctors cannot immediately determine why RBC is elevated: the causes of the disorder are varied, and they are not always associated with the disease. An increase in the concentration of red blood cells in the circulating blood is observed when:

• large burns;
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• increased sweating.

The pathological nature of erythrocytosis is said if a patient has a disease that provokes an increase in the concentration of red cells. Among the frequent disorders in which RBC is elevated in the analysis:

• diseases of the cardiovascular system: heart defects, heart failure;
• respiratory diseases: bronchial asthma, chronic pulmonary obstruction;
• blood diseases ();
• dysfunction of the adrenal cortex, leading to an excess of steroid hormones;
• oncology;
• prolonged diarrhea, vomiting.

Erythrocytes are increased - what to do?

If the patient's red blood cells are slightly elevated, this may be a temporary phenomenon associated with recent diarrhea or vomiting. In this case, the study is repeated after a few days. If the concentration is still at a high level, doctors order a more detailed examination of the patient to determine the cause. Therapeutic measures directly depend on the stage of the pathological process, its severity, and the patient's condition. Elimination of the pathology leads to the normalization of the erythrocyte count in the bloodstream.

RBC blood test is down - what does it mean?

The situation when red blood cells are lowered in the blood is more common in women. In some cases, the decrease is temporary and is associated with menstruation. Given this, doctors try not to prescribe an analysis at this time or take this fact into account when evaluating the results. A decrease in RBC can also be observed with hyperhydration - an excess of fluid in the body. In contrast to the physiological decline, pathologically elevated red blood cells are associated with the presence of the disease.

So, a significant decrease in the number of red blood cells may be associated with:

• different origin;
• insufficient intake of B vitamins in the body;
• (inhibition of the process of hematopoiesis in the bone marrow);
• hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells under the influence of toxic substances).

Erythrocytes are lowered - causes

A condition in which low red blood cells are recorded in the blood is called erythropenia. This condition is observed in various pathologies of the body. To figure out why RBC is lowered in a blood test, what kind of disease it is, doctors try to exclude the following pathologies:

• anemia associated with inhibition of the process of hematopoiesis in the bone marrow, transfusion of incompatible blood groups;
• ulcerative lesions of the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum;
• iron deficiency;
• urolithiasis disease;
• profuse blood loss;
• some autoimmune diseases.