RBC: blood test, transcript, norm and value. The normal red blood cell count (RBC) in the blood

To identify hidden diseases in patients, doctors prescribe the delivery of a blood test, according to the results of which they judge the presence of deviations in the work of certain organs. With the help of such a study, the dynamics of treatment are controlled. During the analysis, blood cells are studied , one of which is red blood cells. RBC-indicator is mandatory for determining the state of the body. Its rise or fall serves as a signal about possible diseases.

Definition of the concept of "erythrocyte"

Red blood cell (RBC), or erythrocyte, is a red blood corpuscle biconcave diskoid form and belongs to the most numerous group of blood cells. In the diameter, the mature erythrocyte has a size of 7.0 to 8.0 μm, dimensions less than 5.89 μm and more than 9.13 μm are considered physiological anisocytosis. This structure allows maximum saturation of red blood cells with oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules in the bloodstream.

An important component of red blood cells is the pigment hemoglobin, due to which it is possible to bind oxygen with the lungs and release this element into tissues and organs.

In addition to oxygen transfer, erythrocytes carry out the function of lipid molecules exchange in the blood plasma, the transfer of amino acid residues and biological substances, regulate acid-base and ionic equilibrium in the blood, and provide water-salt metabolism. They perform immune reactions by absorbing and destroying toxic substances, controlling the coagulation system by forming thromboplastin molecules.

Red bone marrow is the place of formation of erythrocytes, in which there is a continuous update of these cells, so their number, like the RBC norm, remains constant. The time of existence of red blood cells does not exceed 4 months.

What is RBC analysis?

To determine the content of erythrocytes, measure their concentration in 1 cubic milliliter or 1 liter. An RBC blood test is performed. The decoding of this indicator gives information about the state of health and allows identifying specific diseases in people. The level of erythrocytes of a healthy person varies in a narrow range and depends on age and sex.

For the RBC measurement unit, 10 ¹² / liter is used in the blood test.

How to properly take blood tests for RBC

To get reliable results, you need to know the rules for giving a general blood test. Usually in polyclinics, blood donation is carried out in the morning, on an empty stomach. It is not recommended to eat food and liquids, except for ordinary clean water. You should refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.

For the analysis, an anonymous finger is prepared on the right hand, the tip of which is treated with cotton wool soaked with alcohol. Using a scarifier, a finger is punctured, then blood is collected into a test tube. On the finger impose an alcoholic cotton wool to prichhech rank.

Since the RBC blood test is included in the general mechanism of blood testing, it is conducted by a laboratory technician during the working day. Using a counting chamber and analyzers, a specialist counts the number of red blood cells.

RBC blood test: transcript

After counting the number of red blood cells by a laboratory assistant, the results of the analysis are transferred to the doctor. To assess the state of the body, he interprets the information that the RBC blood test gave. The decoding of its indices is needed to determine the number of erythrocytes, as well as the determination of Ht (hematocrit) and Hb (hemoglobin concentration). This dependence applies only to healthy blood cells with the correct structure and shape. Knowing the RBC, it is possible to determine the concentration of hemoglobin and then the hematocrit (Ht = 3 × Hb) by the formula Hb = 3 × RBC. The hematocrit indicates the ratio of the volume of erythrocyte cells to the total volume of blood, a low value indicates anemia, and high indicates dehydration of blood.

An RBC blood test may be unreliable in carrying it during menstrual or nasal bleeding, when treated with diuretics. These features should be taken into account when conducting research.

Normal content of red blood cells

Once again, we note that the stage, no less important than the RBC blood test itself, is a transcript. The norm of the content of red blood cells depends directly on sex and age. In men, the number of erythrocyte cells in 1 liter is slightly higher (4.5 to 5.5 x 10 ¹² ) than in women (4.0 to 5.0 x 10 ¹² ). These are normal RBC indicators. This difference is explained by the more intensive development of muscle mass in the stronger sex.

In newborns, the RBC score is high (from 4.2 to 7.5 x 10 ¹² ), which indicates a high content of red blood cells, which ensure the normal supply of body cells with oxygen molecules. Within a month, the number of red blood cells decreases (from 3.7 to 5.7 x 10 ¹² ) due to their disintegration, a gradual replacement for new red blood cells.

In children at 6 months, the RBC is between 3.6 and 4.9 x 10 ¹² , at 12 months of age, RBC rationing is 3.7 to 4.9 x 10 ¹² per liter. From 1 year to 12 years of age, the erythrocyte content is 3.6-4.6 x 10 ¹² per liter.

Pregnant women should be prescribed an RBC blood test, the transcript is performed taking into account the norms that differ from the values for non-pregnant women - from 3.0 to 3.5 x 10 ¹² . The low content of erythrocyte cells is due to the presence of excess fluid in the tissues, which dilutes the blood, making it more fluid. Another reason is the low hemoglobin content, which is inherent in almost all pregnant women.

Increased RBC

Elevated red blood cells are called erythrocytosis. Isolate absolute and relative erythrocytosis. In the first case, the increase in the number of erythrocyte cells is due to their formation in the bone tissue, the second state occurs when blood thickens and its volumes decrease.

Elevated levels of red blood cells cause physiological and pathological causes.

Physiological causes of RBC level increase

There are conditions in which a natural increase in the number of blood cells of red color is possible at 0.5 x 10 ⁹ per day, which is not a pathology.

Usually, RBC in a blood test may increase:

• Under the influence of stressful situations, mental overstrain;
• During a long stay in the mountains, when there is not enough oxygen in the air;
• With increased physical training;
• With a lack of fluid in the body.

Elimination of these causes leads to a gradual recovery of the red blood cell count and is not a sign of abnormalities in the body. The residents of the mountainous area have been producing more red blood cells since childhood in order to compensate for the oxygen deficiency of the body. All these features should be taken into account by the doctor in deciphering the analyzes.

Pathologies in which the RBC level rises

In addition to natural causes, there are a number of pathological conditions in which the level of RBC is overestimated. Elevated red blood cells are observed during the intake of diuretics or glucocorticosteroids, with large losses of water, associated with extensive burns, frequent, plentiful and liquid stools of the patient. All these conditions make the blood thick.

The increased number of erythrocytes, or erythrocytosis, is a sign of such diseases as:

• The kidney disease at which the hormone erythropoietin is produced in overestimated amounts;
• A true polycythemia with a malignant tumor process in the blood that is associated with excessive growth of cells in the bone marrow;
• Excessive production of hormones of the adrenal cortex in Cushing's syndrome;
• Chronic Vakez leukemia;
• Oxygen deficiency in chronic bronchial and lung diseases (obstructive bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, bronchial asthma);
• Congenital and acquired defects of the heart muscle with impaired supply of blood to the body;
• Pulmonary hypertension with insufficient right stomach;
• Overweight with pulmonary insufficiency and high vascular pressure;
• Atherosclerosis of the renal artery;
• Polycystic state of renal tissue.

Reduced erythrocyte content

Erythrocytopenia can be recognized by passing an RBC blood test. The interpretation of its results will indicate a low content of erythrocyte cells in the blood. This condition is observed in various types of anemia. The degree of it can be different depending on the form:

Iron deficiency anemia is possible with constant small blood loss, but the RBC may be normal or slightly underestimated (from 3.0 to 3.6 x 10 ¹² per liter).

Anemia caused by lack of vitamin B ₁₂ , hypoplastic, hemolytic form, acute blood loss - all these conditions are also characterized by a low content of red cells in the blood. Values of RBC from 1.0 to 1.6 x 10 ¹² per 1 liter are considered critical and require urgent medical intervention.

Reducing the number of erythrocytes is observed with ulcerative lesions of the mucosa in the duodenum and stomach, the formation of kidney stones and bladder, kidney nephritis kidney, increased concentration of protein molecules in the blood, generalized plasmacytoma, excessive fluid content in tissues and organs.

During the gestation of a child in a woman's body, the volume of blood that circulates through the blood vessels increases, which also reduces the RBC score.