Erythrocyte Count (RBC) Test

Anaemia, Leukemia, Autoimmune disorders, Polycythemia vera, bone marrow disorders

RBCs or Red Blood Cells contain haemoglobin and get made in the bone marrow. These cells are also known as erythrocytes. The erythrocyte test is a blood test that measures the levels of erythrocytes in the blood and is usually done as part of the CBC test.

RBC count in this test can help diagnose anaemia and other conditions that affect RBCs. The purpose of this test is to check if the RBC count in your body is normal or abnormal. This test can be included in your routine blood testing during a regular checkup.

Some symptoms that can result in a doctor prescribing an erythrocyte test are fatigue, weakness, rapid heartbeat, and pale skin. Apart from these, headache, vision problems, and dizziness are other symptoms.

In the last two decades, anaemia has become more prevalent in India.

Among women of reproductive age, this condition is 20 per cent above the world average. In the world, one in three women is anaemic. Conversely, one in two women in India is anaemic.

Other Names of Erythrocyte Test

• Red Blood Cell Count
• RBC Count

What does the erythrocytes test detect/measure, and who is this prescribed for?

this test measures the number of RBCs or red blood cells in the blood of an individual.

The reason this test is vital is that RBCs contain haemoglobin that carries oxygen to your blood’s tissues. An erythrocyte blood test is ordered by a doctor to individuals showing specific symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Joint pain
• Shortness of breath
• Sleeping disturbance
• Tenderness in your palms
• Itching

The erythrocyte test/ RBC count test can indicate a high or low RBC count in an individual that may be used to further discover if an individual has anaemia, an autoimmune condition that may lead to reduced RBC counts due to autoimmune destruction, a disorder of bone marrow, enlarged spleen etc. Plus, doctors also use it as a tool to monitor long-term health problems that may change your blood count results like chronic kidney disease or due to an ongoing medication.

The normal range in an erythrocyte test can vary due to factors like age and gender. Plus, RBC can also be affected by the altitude of the area where testing is conducted.

Instead of trying to interpret the results of an erythrocyte test yourself, talking to your doctor to understand them is always preferable. Normal ranges mentioned above can also vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. Males typically have a higher reference range. The normal range for men, women, and children is different.

RBC counts are generally highest amongst newborns. However, these decrease during infancy before reaching levels similar to adults during adolescence and childhood. The hormone made in the kidneys is released to stimulate the bone marrow to produce more RBCs is erythropoietin.

Abnormal RBC count can result from health conditions that disrupt the normal creation of RBCs. A high RBC count can result from excessive smoking, high altitude, kidney cancer, dehydration, polycythemia vera, cancer of bone marrow or stress.

Conversely, a low RBC count results from anaemia, malnutrition, overhydration, pregnancy, severe bleeding, enlarged spleen, autoimmune disorders, blood cancers or hemolysis.

In most cases, an erythrocyte test isn’t enough to determine why the RBC levels are high or low. That is why other blood cell counts are considered in interpreting the significance of RBC levels. Doctors conduct further tests to diagnose a specific cause of an abnormal RBC count.

Follow-up tests are tailored to the situations of individuals based on their symptoms, health history, and results.

The results of an erythrocyte test are based on the analysis of a simple blood test. A needle gets inserted into the vein of the arm. The blood that comes out gets collected into a vial or test tube.

Test Preparation

Read on to know about the preparation that goes behind the erythrocytes test.

A. Before The Test

You don’t need any special preparation before taking this blood test. That said, it is essential to disclose the medication that you are on to your consulting doctor. That is because certain medicines can affect RBC levels.

If you’re a woman on your period, you must share the same with your doctor. Excess alcohol consumption and smoking also exploit the results and are to be best avoided.

B. During The Test

The overall process of drawing blood takes around three minutes. When the needle gets inserted, some individuals might feel a minor pain that can range from mild or moderate. But overall, the process is smooth.

If you’re someone who generally feels uncomfortable at the sight of blood or around needles, try expressing the same to the individual drawing blood. They’ll make you feel comfortable, and the entire process will be nothing short of a breeze. Talking to a person or looking away can help immensely.

C. After The Test

After the blood is drawn, you’ll be asked to apply gentle pressure for a minute or two. Any throbbing where the needle was removed goes away quickly. While individuals can keep the bandage on for a few hours, going back to their usual activities once the test is over is also all right.

Test Inclusions: What Parameters Are Included?

The main parameter in an erythrocyte blood test is the red blood cell or RBC count. It determines how much oxygen is being transported to the cells in the body. This count is the number of RBCs contained in a sample of blood. The results are usually expressed as millions of cells per microliter (cells/ml).

In most cases, an erythrocyte test is conducted as part of a CBC test that also measures WBCs,  haemoglobin levels and a few other parameters in the blood.

How Frequently Should You Take This Test?

A random erythrocyte blood test shows whether you have a normal red blood cell count or an abnormal one. Appropriate medication is prescribed by the doctor if the erythrocyte test’s results confirm a diagnosis. In addition to that, an individual can be asked to take follow-up tests.

A second erythrocyte test can be prescribed by the doctor depending on the patient’s condition. It is a quick test that only takes a few minutes to complete.