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An RBC count is a blood test that tells how many red blood cells (RBCs) you have.
RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. How much oxygen your body tissues
get depends on how many RBCs you have and how well they work.
The RBC count is almost always part of the CBC (complete blood count) test.
The test can help diagnose anemia and other conditions affecting red blood cells.
Alport syndrome
Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency
Hereditary anemias, such as thalassemia
Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Immune hemolytic anemia
Macroglobulinemia of Waldenstrom
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Primary myelofibrosis
Normal Results
Cigarette smoking
Congenital heart disease
Cor pulmonale
Dehydration (such as from severe diarrhea)
Kidney tumor (renal cell carcinoma)
Low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia)
Pulmonary fibrosis
Polycythemia vera
Your RBC count will increase for several weeks when you move to a higher altitude.
Gentamicin
Methyldopa
Anemia
Bone marrow failure (for example, from radiation, toxins, or tumor)
Erythropoietin deficiency (secondary to kidney disease)
Hemolysis (RBC destruction) due to transfusion, blood vessel injury, or other
cause
Hemorrhage (bleeding)
Leukemia
Malnutrition
Multiple myeloma
Nutritional deficiencies of:
o Iron
o Copper
o Folate
o Vitamin B-12
o Vitamin B-6
Overhydration
Pregnancy
Chloramphenicol
Hydantoins
Quinidine
Risks
There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in
size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood
from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling light-headed
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Alternative Names
References
Zuckerman K. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine.
23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 162.
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General
Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and
Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General
Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.