Deciphering the blood test will show us this indicator - rbc. This abbreviation stands for red blood cells. Red blood cells are formed in bone marrow red in color and are blood elements.
The rbc test determines the level of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to every cell in the body. The norm of red cells in men is slightly higher than in women. IN medical practice red blood cells should not exceed four to five million/ml.
Red blood cells are like a lens, which has a concave shape in the middle and thick edges. They don't have a core. Rbc are 7 to 8 µm in size. Their life is short, about one hundred and twenty days. Hemoglobin is red, so red blood cells are also that color. The main component of the cell is this blood ingredient.
How are red blood cells formed?
In the red brain, a process called erythropoiesis occurs, which forms red blood cells. The bone marrow and its cells differentiate, and due to this we get red blood cells. Stem cells in the bone marrow transform into these bodies in several stages. It goes like this:
- megaloblast formation;
- from it transformation into erythroblast;
- obtaining normocyte from this substance;
- a normocyte forms a reticulocyte;
- from reticulocyte to erythrocyte.
Deciphering the process of red blood cell formation
In the bloodstream, reticulocyte formation occurs in the rbc within a few hours.
RBC and their functions
There are many main functions that red cells perform in the body:
They carry oxygen to every cell of the body, and take carbon dioxide from the lungs.
- From the gastrointestinal tract, amino acids are transported by red blood cells to all tissues of the human body.
- They take an active part in various chemical reactions. Enzymes are transported in large quantities to each cell.
- Red blood cells protect the body from antigens and toxins by participating in immune processes.
- The acid-base balance is constantly maintained by rbc.
The rate of red blood cells in humans is reduced
The norm for the male half of humanity is 4 million red blood cells/ml; for women, the norm is an order of magnitude lower. They have indicators of 3.5 million/ml. Depending on the age, the children's norm has different ranges.
A low red blood cell count in a blood test indicates the presence of anemia in your body. This may be a consequence of loss of a large amount of blood, deficiency of vitamins B12 and B9, as well as hemolysis.
Increased rate of red cells in the blood
With erythrocytosis and erythremia, rbc levels increase.
When stem cells have a tumor syndrome, primary erythrocytosis develops in the body. Precursor cells begin to divide rapidly. Such processes lead to an increase not only in red blood cells, but also in leukocytes and platelets. When inflammatory processes are present in the body, thrombocytosis and leukocytosis occur in it.
There are 3 types of secondary erythrocytosis:
- Physiological blood process. If there has been prolonged hypoxia, the red blood cells will be elevated. When there is lung disease in the body, congenital pathologies and altitude sickness.
- Pathological erythrocytosis. In the human body there are kidney cancer, cerebellar hemangioma, adrenal tumors, problems with the ovaries and others serious illnesses. This disease can be caused by drugs that were used long time With high content steroids.
- Relative process. The absolute norm is unchanged in relation to the relative indicators of the corpuscles. This happens when prolonged vomiting, heavy sweating and diarrhea.
How to take a general blood test
In medicine, a clinical blood test is used. This analysis is taken from a finger. It is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Do not consume in the evening before the test fatty foods. Can I take a glass? clean water without gas.
Deciphering these results occurs using the ordinary medical microscope. The color scheme, shape and size of red blood cells are examined using of this device. But in modern world There are devices such as hematology analyzers. They can determine about 24 indicators simultaneously. These devices can be used to test blood clotting.
There is a table showing the average rbc performance:
- newborns have 4.2-7.5 mg/l;
- at the age of 1 month 3.7-5.7 mg/l;
- at six months of age 3.6-4.9 mg/l;
- if the child is 1 year old 3.7-4.9 mg/l;
- from 2 months to 12 years 3.6-4.6 mg/l;
- pregnant women have 3-3.5 mg/l.
Only a doctor can correctly determine the analysis data. You cannot figure out what disease you have on your own. Deciphering these results will help a specialist determine the disease long before external manifestation illness.
When the rate of red blood cells is increased, it is necessary to identify the cause of this increase. This can happen in the following cases:
- If you are constantly stressed. You are very mentally overstrained.
- Long stay in mountainous areas where there is a lack of oxygen.
- Physical activity is increased.
- Dehydration occurs in the human body.
If the rbc rate decreases, this happens for the following reasons:
- When there is a slight loss of blood in the human body that occurs constantly.
- The body does not have enough vitamin B12, which is characterized by low content blood cells in the analysis.
- When there is damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach, intestines and duodenum.
- If there is a lot of fluid in the body or there are stones in the bladder and kidneys.
- During pregnancy, blood flow increases, which is why the rbc test is low.
The red blood cell count closely depends on hemoglobin readings. When hb is abnormal, then the red cell readings are also abnormal. Hemoglobin is located inside the red blood cell, which is why they are so interconnected. When the result is low, then it is hemoglobin that needs to be increased, and if it is high, then this result must also be lowered.
It is necessary to periodically take blood tests for both adults and children. Health needs constant monitoring. Timely identified pathology will save you from many troubles. This kind of concern for your health will always help you out in difficult times.
Love yourself and you will always be healthy and happy.
General analysis blood is simple and informative laboratory examination, based on the results of which you can obtain the necessary information for diagnosing many diseases, as well as assess the degree of their severity and track the dynamics against the background of the treatment.
The UAC includes the following indicators:
- hemoglobin
- red blood cells
- leukocytes and leukocyte formula(eosinophils, basophils, segmented and band neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes)
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- platelets
- color index and hematocrit
- highly specific indicators
The decision on how extensive a blood test to prescribe is made by the attending physician, based on the diagnostic purposes and existing diseases.
Abbreviations in the analysis printout
Very often printout of results clinical analysis blood is presented in the form of abbreviations on English language. Decoding abbreviations for a general blood test from English into Russian will help to the average user navigate the indicators and adequately evaluate the result of laboratory analysis.
Here is what is included in a clinical blood test (abbreviated in English):
- MCV (HCT/RBC)
- MCH (HGB/RBC)
- MCHC (HGB/HCT)
- LYM/Lymph (%, #)
- MXD (%, #)
- NEUT (NEU - %, #)
- MON (%, #)
- EO (%, #)
- BA (%, #)
- IMM (%, #)
- ATL (%, #)
- GR (%, #)
- RDW (SD, CV)
- P-LCR
Printout of clinical blood test
The use of such abbreviations in the UAC is convenient and practical: it does not take up much space in the analysis printout and corresponds international standards designations of blood parameters. Hematologists and therapists can decipher them without much difficulty, and for highly specialized doctors and patients, a reminder of the designations of each indicator will be useful.
Decoding abbreviations
WBC
Decoding WBC in a general blood test - white blood cells, which in English means white blood cells. This is how a blood test identifies leukocytes, which under a microscope look like white cells. The unit of measurement is 10 9 /l.
- (table)
R.B.C.
Decoding RBC in a blood test - red blood cells(red blood cells). IN laboratory analysis This is how red blood cells are designated. Unit of measurement - 10 12 /l
- (table)
HGB
HGB is a shortened version English word Hemoglobin. This is how hemoglobin is indicated on the blood test printout. Unit of measurement - g/l (g/l), g/dl (g/dl).
HCT
HCT stands for Hematocrit(hematocrit).
PLT
PLT stands for Platelets(blood plates). This is how platelets are encrypted in the printout of a clinical blood test.
MCV
MCV - short for Mean Corpuscular Volume, which means the average volume of a red blood cell. It is measured in µm 3 or femtoliters (fl).
As can be seen from the table, MCV norm in a general blood test is not very different for adults and all ages of children, with the exception of newborns. Their red blood cell volume is significantly larger, which is associated with a higher content of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in their structure.
Name of red blood cells depending on size:
- Normal - normocyte
- More than normal - macrocyte
- Less than normal - microcyte
MCH
The abbreviation MCH stands for - mean corpuscular hemoglobin. Translated as the average amount of hemoglobin in a red blood cell. Measured in picograms (pg).
MCH is an analogue, only not in relative numbers, but in picograms.
MCHC
MCHC - mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. This is the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. The difference between this indicator and total hemoglobin in a blood test is that MCHC takes into account the volume of red blood cells only, and the total hemoglobin level is determined based on the volume of all blood (cells + plasma).
As can be seen from the table, the MCHC norm in the analysis does not change much with age.
MPV
MPV is short for mean platelet volume. Stands for average platelet volume. Platelets stay in the bloodstream for a short time and as they “mature” they decrease in size, so determining their volume (MPV) helps determine the degree of platelet maturity in the blood. The unit of MPV is femtoliter (fl), which is equal to µm 2 .
The MPV norm is when the volume of platelets corresponds to 83-90% age norm indicated in the table and only 10-17% of large and small (immature and old).
PDW
Decoding PDW in a blood test - platelet distribution width. The abbreviation refers to the relative width of the platelet distribution across the volume.
The PDW norm is 10-17%. This figure indicates what percentage of the total platelet count differs in volume from the mean value (MPV).
PCT
PCT is the full name in English platelet crit. Translated as thrombocrit. The indicator means how much volume platelets occupy in relation to the volume of whole blood.
The PCT norm in tests for children and adults is 0.15-0.4%.
LYM
LYM or Lymph in UAC stands for - lymphocyte This is the abbreviated name for lymphocytes in a blood test. The printout may contain 2 indicators:
- LYM% (LY%) - relative content of lymphocytes
- LYM# (LY#) - absolute lymphocyte content
MXD (MID)
The abbreviation MXD means mixed. An indicator of a mixture of types of leukocytes: monocytes, basophils and eosinophils. The results of the general analysis can be in 2 options:
- MXD% (MID%) - relative cell content
- MXD# (MID#) - absolute cell content
MXD norm: relative to all leukocytes - 5-10%, in absolute numbers - 0.25-0.9 * 10 9 /l.
NEUT
NEUT is short for neutrophils. This indicator in the general analysis means blood neutrophils. Determined in the analysis in 2 options:
- NEUT% (NEU%) - relative content of neutrophils
- NEUT# (NEU#) — absolute content of neutrophils
MON
MON is short for Monocyte. This is how the UAC denotes monocytes, the indicator of which in the analysis printout can be of 2 types:
- MON% (MO%) - relative number of monocytes
- MON# (MO#) - absolute number of monocytes
EO
EO can be deciphered from a general blood test as Eosinophils, which means eosinophils in English. The results of a clinical analysis may contain 2 indicators:
- EO% - relative content of eosinophils
- EO# - absolute eosinophil content
B.A.
BA - Basophils (basophils)
- BA% - relative basophil content
- BA# - absolute basophil content
IMM
The abbreviation IMM stands for immature granulocytes.
- IMM% - relative content of immature granulocytes
- IMM# - absolute content of immature granulocytes
ATL
ATL is the designation for atypical lymphocytes.
- ATL% - relative content of atypical lymphocytes
- ATL# - absolute content of atypical lymphocytes
GR
GR is the number of granulocytes in the blood. Granulocytes include: basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils.
- GR% - relative content of granulocytes. The norm in adults is 50-80%
- GR# is the absolute content of granulocytes. The norm for adults is 2.2-8.8 * 10 9 / l
HCT/RBC
The HCT/RBC ratio refers to the average red blood cell volume. Same as MCV (see above)
HGB/RBC
HGB/RBC - this indicator determines the average hemoglobin content in a red blood cell. Same as MCH (see above).
HGB/HCT
HGB/HCT - average hemoglobin concentration in erythrocytes. Same as MCHC (see above)
RDW
RDW - erythrocyte distribution width in %. Shows what percentage of red blood cells have sizes different from the norm (7-8 microns). The more microcytes in the blood (size<7 мкм) и макроцитов (размер >8 µm), the higher the RDW value.
- The normal RDW in adults is 11.5–14.5%
- The norm for newborns (up to 1 month) is 14.9–18.7%
In children older than 1 month, the RDW norm is practically no different from adults. In newborn children, the rate is much higher, because Fetal hemoglobin is still present in large quantities in their blood, which affects the size of red blood cells.
Exceeding RDW above the specified values is erythrocyte anisocytosis.
RDW-SD
RDW-SD is a measure that indicates the size gap between the smallest microcyte and the largest macrocyte.
RDW-CV
RDW-CV is the percentage distribution of red blood cells by size: % microcytes, % normocytes and % macrocytes.
P-LCR
P-LCR - large platelet ratio
ESR
ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is translated from English as erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The Russian abbreviation for this value is ESR (in old forms it may be designated ROE).
Availability of a transcript of the general blood test from English transcription into Russian will be useful not only for the patient, but also for doctors of various profiles, because V everyday practice It is extremely rare to encounter all the diversity possible indicators UAC.
A blood test can help in diagnosis huge amount diseases of the blood itself, hematopoietic organs, endocrine system, oncological diseases any organs and so on.
Today, this diagnostic method has become very accurate and unified so that any doctor from any country can understand what his colleague wrote on the other side of the world. But this unification turned out to be a problem for Russian-speaking patients, since they do not always understand the English or Latin abbreviations used by doctors.
RBC (read as “ar-bc-si” or “er-be-tse”) is an abbreviation that comes from the English language and means “ Red blood cells", that is, "Red blood cells". Simply put, red blood cells (although it is not entirely correct to call them cells, because they do not have a nucleus).
Red blood cells absolute red blood cell count in the blood is expressed in the number of pieces per liter.
This number is calculated by a specialist who examines the blood under a microscope. A small amount of blood enters a microslide, which is then viewed by laboratory staff through a special mesh. Having counted the number of red blood cells in each square of the grid, the laboratory technician multiplies them by the volume of blood and obtains the corresponding value.
Red blood cells can show pathologies in the hematopoietic organs, in which the number of red blood cells increases sharply (for example, in some forms of bone marrow cancer), the consequences of blood loss or death of red blood cells (low RBC count), this indicator varies among people of different ages and gender.
Together with other indicators such as WBC (white blood cells), RBC helps diagnose lesions of the spleen, liver and other organs.
Decoding the analysis result
Both an increase and a decrease in the number of red blood cells can be a sign of disease. Let's look at common and dangerous diseases, which are associated with fluctuations in the number of RBCs:
Promotion
- The most dangerous reason increasing the number of red blood cells – bone marrow cancer. Normally, the bone marrow constantly produces new red blood cells. This occurs through the constant division of specialized cells, one of which evolves into a red blood cell, and the second remains for subsequent divisions. But with cancer in the bone marrow, division gets out of control, cells divide en masse and much faster than normal. That is why red blood cells begin to be released in huge quantities.
- The second cause may be kidney disease. The fact is that some kidney pathologies are associated with increased erythropoietin– a hormone that promotes hematopoiesis.
- Less common are pathologies associated with a lack of oxygen. The reason for this may be a lack of hemoglobin in each individual red blood cell, which the body compensates for by increasing the number of red blood cells themselves.
Demotion
In some diseases, the number of red blood cells dramatically decreases. Firstly, this may be associated with the same oncology of the red bone marrow, because not all forms of cancer cause uncontrolled production of blood cells, some act in exactly the opposite way.
Infectious diseases can also infect red blood cells. This happens with malaria, which can be contracted in southern countries.
Normal red blood cell count
The normal number of RBCs varies among people of different genders and ages. Let's look at the normal indicators in the form of a table:
RBC indicator in men
In men, RBC varies more significantly than in women (see table). This is due to a man’s adaptation to heavy physical work and other activities that require effort.
In particular, the number of RBCs increases in people involved in strength sports.
Red blood cells also increase among smokers.
A decrease in red blood cells is usually caused by a lack of animal protein in the diet, sources of which are meat and fish. Because men have more muscle mass than women, their need for protein is also higher.
Blood composition in women
In women, the composition of the blood often changes depending on the phase menstrual cycle or stages of pregnancy.
Vegetarianism during pregnancy causes particular harm to the hematopoietic system. In conditions when all the body's forces are spent on the development of the fetus, the lack of animal protein in the diet quickly leads to a decrease in the production of red blood cells and, as a result, anemia.
Blood loss during childbirth or even menstruation(usually the amount of menstrual blood does not exceed 200 ml, but in some pathologies the blood loss is more significant). In this case, the RBC count may first fall and then rise sharply as the body tries to compensate for the loss of red blood cells at the expense of their immature counterparts.
Level of indicator in children
In children, a common cause of low red blood cells is poor nutrition. A lack of vitamins, proteins, and iron can seriously affect the hematopoietic system, which will lead to a decrease in the production of red cells.
Children's body much more sensitive to a lack of certain substances in food, in addition, children are often overly picky about food. Therefore, with a reduced RBC level, the first task of parents is to ensure that the child begins to eat normally. You must definitely eat meat, apples, pomegranates or pomegranate juice. You can buy hematogen at the pharmacy.
The influence of race and place of residence on blood
People whose ancestors lived for thousands of years in specific, difficult conditions, adapted to these conditions by changing the composition of the blood.
In particular, among residents of mountains and hot deserts (Caucasians, Tibetans, Arabs, Tuaregs), the number of red blood cells may be higher than normal. This feature is hereditary and can be passed on to a child from a mixed family in accordance with the laws of inheritance.
Conclusion
Thus, RBC is an indicator that characterizes the number of red blood cells in 1 liter of blood. This indicator can change with a person's age and depends on gender.
Descendants of highlanders or desert dwellers may also have higher RBC than those living on plains with mild climates.
An increase in RBC may be associated with blood loss or bone marrow damage.
A decrease in RBC usually indicates hunger or malnutrition, and sometimes damage to the red bone marrow.
Medzeit.ru/analizy/krov/obshhij-analiz-krovi-pokazateli.html
General blood analysis. Norm and decoding.
A complete blood count is a simple and informative blood test. Based on the results of a general blood test, you can obtain the necessary information for diagnosing many diseases, as well as assess the severity of some diseases and monitor the dynamics of the treatment. The general blood test includes the following indicators: hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, leukocyte formula (eosinophils, basophils, segmented and band neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelets, color index and hematocrit. Although in a general blood test, if there are no direct indications, all these indicators are not always determined; sometimes they are limited to determining only ESR, leukocytes, hemoglobin and leukemia.
Interpretation of general blood test indicators.
When using automatic hematology analyzers, the general blood test indicators are written in an abbreviated version in English. Below is a breakdown of the indicators included in the general blood test.
- WBC (white blood cells - white blood cells) - leukocytes in absolute numbers
RBC (red blood cells - red blood cells) - red blood cells in absolute numbers
HGB (Hb, hemoglobin) - hemoglobin, concentration in whole blood
HCT (hematocrit) - hematocrit
PLT (platelets - blood platelets) - platelets in absolute numbers
MCV - mean erythrocyte volume
MCH – average hemoglobin content in an individual red blood cell
MCHC - average hemoglobin concentration in erythrocyte
MPV (mean platelet volume) - average platelet volume
PDW - relative width of platelet distribution by volume
PCT (platelet crit) - thrombocrit
LYM% (LY%) (lymphocyte) - relative content of lymphocytes.
LYM# (LY#) (lymphocyte) - absolute content of lymphocytes.
MXD% is the relative content of a mixture of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils.
MXD# is the absolute content of a mixture of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils.
NEUT% (NE%) (neutrophils) - relative content of neutrophils.
NEUT# (NE#) (neutrophils) - absolute content of neutrophils.
MON% (MO%) (monocyte) - relative content of monocytes.
MON# (MO#) (monocyte) - absolute content of monocytes.
EO% - relative content of eosinophils.
EO# is the absolute content of eosinophils.
BA% is the relative content of basophils.
BA# is the absolute content of basophils.
IMM% is the relative content of immature granulocytes.
IMM# is the absolute content of immature granulocytes.
ATL% - relative content of atypical lymphocytes.
ATL# - absolute content of atypical lymphocytes.
GR% - relative (%) content of granulocytes.
GR# is the absolute content of granulocytes.
HGB/RBC - average hemoglobin content in a red blood cell.
HGB/HCT is the average hemoglobin concentration in a red blood cell.
RDW - erythrocyte distribution width in %.
RDW-SD is the relative width of the distribution of red blood cells by volume.
RDW-CV is the relative width of the distribution of red blood cells by volume.
P-LCR - large platelet ratio.
RDV - erythrocyte anisocytosis.
Normal blood count.
Below are the values of the indicators included in the general blood test and regarded as the norm. The indicated norms are typical for middle-aged adult men, and the norms of general blood test indicators for women, children and pregnant women can be found in separate articles devoted to each indicator.
Hemoglobin. The normal level of hemoglobin in the blood for adult men is in the range of 130-170 g/l.
Red blood cells. The normal rate of red blood cells in the blood is 4.0*1012/l–5.5*1012/l.
Leukocytes. is 4.0*109/l–9.0*109/l.
Eosinophils. The norm of eosinophils in the blood is 1-5% of the total number of leukocytes.
Basophils. The norm of basophils in the blood is 0.5-1% of the total number of leukocytes.
Neutrophils. in the blood makes up 45-70% of the total number of leukocytes, of which 1-5% are band neutrophils and 42-72% are segmented neutrophils.
Monocytes. The norm of monocytes in the blood is 1-8% of the total number of leukocytes.
Lymphocytes. The norm of lymphocytes in the blood is 25-40% of the total number of leukocytes.
Platelets. The normal platelet count in the blood is 180-320*109/l.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. ESR norm is 1-10 mm/h.
Color index. Norm color index is 0.85-1.05.
Hematocrit. is 38.0-49.0%.
Material from the site.
Almost everyone has had to take blood tests at least once in their life, but few people know what they mean individual characteristics specified in the form. For example, what is meant by the numbers that appear in one of the first lines in the document, encrypted in an incomprehensible abbreviation in English letters– RBC? But this is very important indicator state of the formula of the main body fluid!
RBC in a blood test indicates the number of red blood cells in one microliter of the biomaterial being studied. The abbreviation is an abbreviation for red blood cells, which is translated from English as red blood cells. The form contains reference values indicating the norm, and the subject can see for himself whether his results correspond to generally accepted indicators.
More about red blood cells and their role in the body
Red blood cells are particularly important shaped elements blood. Their continuous reproduction is carried out by the red bone marrow. Every second, the human body produces about 2.4 million red blood cells, which remain viable for 4 months. At the same time, the level of red blood cell concentration is always maintained in a relatively stable state and corresponds to certain age categories.
Interesting! According to scientists, red bone marrow produces approximately 600 kg of red blood cells during an average life expectancy.
These cells look like a biconcave lens or like small disks squeezed in the middle, which maximizes their surface area. This significantly increases the absorption capacity of red blood cells. Due to the hemoglobin they contain, which contains a red pigment, under a microscope these cells are most noticeable against the background of others, standing out with their bright color. This is why they got their name - red blood cells.
But they acquire this coloring gradually, not from the very beginning of their formation. On early stages Red blood cells still contain a small amount of hemoglobin and, accordingly, iron, so they differ in their blue tint from other cellular structures. Later they acquire grey colour, and only when their maturation reaches a certain stage, characterized by the appearance of hemoglobin, do red blood cells become red cells.
Young or immature red blood cells are called progenitor cells or reticulocytes. It should be mentioned that red blood cells that circulate in venous blood, have a blue color, since they have already participated in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, as a result of which they lost hemoglobin. Despite the fact that red cells have a rather narrow specialization, their role for normal functioning the body is difficult to overestimate.
The main functions of red blood cells include:
- transportation of oxygen from the lungs to all cellular structures internal organs;
- transfer of a metabolic product, carbon dioxide, from the tissues of organs in order to remove it from the body;
- protecting the body from immunological and autoimmune diseases pathological processes;
- participation in a large list of biochemical reactions occurring in the body;
- adsorption (absorption) of toxic substances and pathological antigens;
- ensuring acid-base balance.
The principle of gas exchange carried out using red blood cells
Thus, the body’s respiration and sufficient gas exchange depend on the quality functioning of red blood cells. In addition, they participate in saturating tissues with essential amino acids and enzymes that can attach to the extensive surface of red blood cells.
What is an RBC test?
- monitoring for the purpose of prevention and medical examination, which also applies to pregnant women;
- standard procedure during examination before hospitalization or surgical intervention;
- diagnosis of diseases of the hematopoietic system, in particular anemia of various origins;
- control of ongoing therapeutic measures.
The UAC form has the form of a kind of table containing the names of the parameters being determined, the obtained values and the normal range (reference indicators) for different age categories and gender. Basically this document not much different from other forms used in blood or urine tests, such as biochemical analysis and other.
Normal levels of red blood cells in the blood
Due to their numerical advantage, red blood cells are considered the main blood cells. Their number is several times greater than leukocytes - white blood cells and platelets. Absolute content leukocytes in the form are indicated abbreviation WBC and platelets – PLT. RBC levels begin to differ between girls and boys during puberty, as increased testosterone production stimulates increased hematopoietic function.
Fact! IN male body The volume of circulating blood is about 5–6 liters, while in women it is 4–4.5 liters. At the same time, the blood of representatives of the stronger sex is normally richer in red blood cells, therefore, to carry 1 liter of oxygen, they require a smaller volume of blood than women.
It follows from this that in an adult healthy man The blood volume is not only greater than that of a woman, but it is also used much more efficiently. It is precisely this phenomenon that is associated with the fact that men can more easily and easily tolerate severe types of physical activity consuming a large number of oxygen.
In children of different genders, normal values practically do not differ until adolescence. From approximately 12–13 years of age, the RBC norm in boys increases significantly compared to girls of the same age. age category. When taking into account the number of red cells, immature red blood cells - reticulocytes - are also taken into account.
Table normal indicators blood elements
Deviations from the norm and their causes
As well as a violation of the number of many other blood parameters, deviations from normal values An increase or decrease in red blood cells is often a sign of the presence of a disease. These may be initially pathologies of the hematopoietic system or secondary factors that developed due to diseases of other organs or systems. When the RBC indicator changes, a shift in the values of hemoglobin, a protein compound directly responsible for the transfer of oxygen, is very often observed.
An analysis of hemoglobin content is an integral procedure in a general blood test. The form is marked with the abbreviation HGB. But not always, if the UAC is deciphered and a change in the number of red cells is detected, this means that the person is sick. In some cases, their numbers can be increased or decreased physiological characteristics associated with a specific state of the body.
Increasing RBC values
An excess of red blood cells, including immature cells, is called erythrocytosis. A condition where there are elevated red cells in the blood can develop as a result of extensive burns, diabetes mellitus, peritonitis, dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, increased sweating. Physiological reasons for an increase in red blood cells in a blood test are often observed in people whose life or activity takes place in places with low oxygen levels.
This primarily concerns residents of high mountain areas, athletes, pilots and climbers. In addition to the above, the number of red cells can increase with excessive physical activity, which often occurs in men when playing sports or hard work, and this is associated with an increase in the body’s need for oxygen. It can also be provoked by stress, especially prolonged stress, and changes in diet (taking foods that affect the process of hematopoiesis).
If the nature of the cause is pathological, then this means the development of the following disorders in the body:
- diseases of cardio-vascular system – birth defects heart, heart failure;
- diseases respiratory system – bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- blood pathologies (for example, with one of the types of primary erythrocytosis - polycythemia);
- dysfunction of the adrenal cortex or excess of steroid hormones (with hormone therapy);
- oncological neoplasms and polycystic kidney disease;
- erythremia – disorders of bone marrow activity;
- prolonged vomiting, diarrhea.
Reference! Heavy smokers with many years of experience bad habit As a rule, there is an increase in RBC values, which refers to pathological factors.
Decrease in indicator
If the decoding of the analysis blood RBC indicates a decrease in the level of red blood cells, then this pathology is called erythropenia. Physiological reasons for the decrease in most situations include overhydration (excessive water content in the body), and pathological reasons, as a rule, are anemia of various types. Also, a decrease in the number of red blood cells may be associated with certain conditions of the body, which is defined as physiological factor.
Such conditions are typical for women and are determined by their gender characteristics. These include pregnancy and menstruation. In the first case, the decrease in red cells can reach 3–4.57 * 10 12 μl, and this is due to an increase in the total volume of circulating blood, which now supplies two organisms - mother and child. At the same time, it is often total red blood cells do not change, but due to an increase in volume, the indicator itself is reduced, which is accepted as the norm in women.
During pregnancy, there may be a decrease in the number of red blood cells
In the second - during menstruation, especially heavy menstruation. Sometimes it even occurs a sharp decline erythrocytes, but more often gradual is observed due to chronic regular blood loss. Another reason may be nutrition, for example, if there is a lack of any food in the diet, such as with vegetarianism or veganism. TO pathological reasons The occurrence of erythropenia involves several factors of a primary and secondary nature, namely:
- blood loss of various origins, for example, acute form bleeding from hemorrhoids;
- insufficient intake of iron, vitamin B 12 and folic acid, which may be due to gastric resection;
- aplastic anemia is a blood pathology in which the hematopoietic function in the red bone marrow is inhibited;
- hemolytic anemia– destruction of red cells. Caused by heavy metal poisoning hereditary diseases(sickle cell anemia) or transfusion of incompatible blood.
All of the above means that even minor deviations from the normal parameters of the most basic blood cells can be evidence of the development of a serious disease. This is why you should periodically go through medical examinations for the purpose of prevention, including a general blood and urine test. Only by paying attention to your body can you find out in time about the presence of the disease in the early stages, which will allow you to recover as quickly as possible.
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