Your doctor will diagnose anemia based on your medical and family histories, a physical exam, and results from tests and procedures. Show
Because anemia doesn't always cause symptoms, your doctor may find out you have it while checking for another condition. Medical and Family HistoriesYour doctor may ask whether you have any of the common signs or symptoms of anemia. He or she also may ask whether you've had an illness or condition that could cause anemia. Let your doctor know about any medicines you take, what you typically eat (your diet), and whether you have family members who have anemia or a history of it. Physical ExamYour doctor will do a physical exam to find out how severe your anemia is and to check for possible causes. He or she may:
Your doctor also may do a pelvic or rectal exam to check for common sources of blood loss. Diagnostic Tests and ProceduresYou may have various blood tests and other tests or procedures to find out what type of anemia you have and how severe it is. Complete Blood CountOften, the first test used to diagnose anemia is a complete blood count (CBC). The CBC measures many parts of your blood. The test checks your hemoglobin and hematocrit (hee-MAT-oh-crit) levels. Hemoglobin is the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body. Hematocrit is a measure of how much space red blood cells take up in your blood. A low level of hemoglobin or hematocrit is a sign of anemia. The normal range of these levels might be lower in certain racial and ethnic populations. Your doctor can explain your test results to you. The CBC also checks the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. Abnormal results might be a sign of anemia, another blood disorder, an infection, or another condition. Finally, the CBC looks at mean corpuscular (kor-PUS-kyu-lar) volume (MCV). MCV is a measure of the average size of your red blood cells and a clue as to the cause of your anemia. In iron-deficiency anemia, for example, red blood cells usually are smaller than normal. Other Tests and ProceduresIf the CBC results show that you have anemia, you may need other tests, such as:
Because anemia has many causes, you also might be tested for conditions such as kidney failure, lead poisoning (in children), and vitamin deficiencies (lack of vitamins, such as B12 and folic acid). If your doctor thinks that you have anemia due to internal bleeding, he or she may suggest several tests to look for the source of the bleeding. A test to check the stool for blood might be done in your doctor's office or at home. Your doctor can give you a kit to help you get a sample at home. He or she will tell you to bring the sample back to the office or send it to a laboratory. If blood is found in the stool, you may have other tests to find the source of the bleeding. One such test is endoscopy (en-DOS-ko-pe). For this test, a tube with a tiny camera is used to view the lining of the digestive tract. Your doctor also may want to do bone marrow tests. These tests show whether your bone marrow is healthy and making enough blood cells. Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. DefinitionAn RBC count is a blood test that measures 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. Alternative NamesErythrocyte count; Red blood cell count; Anemia - RBC count How the Test is PerformedA blood sample is needed. How to Prepare for the TestNo special preparation is necessary. How the Test will FeelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away. Why the Test is PerformedThe RBC count is almost always part of a complete blood count (CBC) test. The test can help diagnose different kinds of anemia (low number of RBCs) and other conditions affecting red blood cells. Other conditions that may require an RBC count are:
Normal ResultsNormal RBC ranges are:
The ranges above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results MeanHigher than normal numbers of RBCs may be due to:
Your RBC count will increase for several weeks when you are in a higher altitude. Drugs that can increase the RBC count include:
Lower-than-normal numbers of RBCs may be due to:
Drugs that can decrease the RBC count include:
RisksThere is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person 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:
ReferencesBunn HF. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 158. Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Red blood cell (RBC) – blood. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2013:961-962. What test is used to measure red blood cells?A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test used to evaluate your overall health and detect a wide range of disorders, including anemia, infection and leukemia. A complete blood count test measures several components and features of your blood, including: Red blood cells, which carry oxygen.
How can you determine the number of red blood cells in a blood sample?Red blood cell count is a blood test that measures the number of erythrocytes circulating in your blood. This test is almost always done as part of a complete blood count (CBC) that also measures other types of blood cells.
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