Red Blood Cell (RBC) in Dehradun

What is a Red Blood Cell (RBC)?

The Red Blood Cell count measures how many red cells occupy a fixed volume of blood. Red cells exist to carry oxygen, so the count is one of the three related measures, alongside haemoglobin and haematocrit, that together describe oxygen-carrying capacity. The three usually move in step, and where they do not, the discrepancy is itself informative: in thalassaemia trait, for instance, the red cell count is often normal or even high while haemoglobin is low, because the body produces many small, poorly filled cells, which is a pattern that distinguishes it from ordinary iron deficiency. A low count means anaemia and prompts the question of why, whether from blood loss, deficient production for want of iron, vitamin B12 or folate, or destruction of cells faster than they are replaced. A high count more often reflects dehydration, which concentrates the blood, than true overproduction, though smoking, chronic lung disease, sleep apnoea, living at altitude and certain bone-marrow conditions all raise it genuinely. The count on its own rarely settles anything; it is the red-cell indices that classify what kind of anaemia is present.

Why take this test?

An RBC count is advised for persistent tiredness, breathlessness on mild exertion, palpitations, dizziness, headaches or unusually pale skin, all of which can reflect reduced oxygen delivery. It is part of the standard work-up for known or suspected anaemia and is used to monitor response once iron, B12 or folate treatment has started. It is checked in pregnancy, where anaemia is common and matters for both mother and baby, and before planned surgery. It is also relevant where a high count is suspected: in a long-term smoker, someone with chronic lung disease, or a patient with unexplained headaches and a ruddy complexion. In practice it is almost never ordered alone, because it arrives as part of a Complete Blood Count that supplies haemoglobin, the indices, white cells and platelets from the same sample, and it is that fuller picture your doctor interprets.

• Persistent tiredness, breathlessness or palpitations
• Dizziness, headaches or unusually pale skin
• Known or suspected anaemia
• Monitoring iron, B12 or folate treatment
• Pregnancy, and before planned surgery
• Suspected high red-cell count in smokers or chronic lung disease

Normal reference ranges

Ranges are indicative for adults. Your report carries the lab-specific reference range and is reviewed by a LabONE pathologist; always interpret results with your doctor.

FAQs: Red Blood Cell (RBC) in Dehradun