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Why is my RBC low but hemoglobin normal?
Other patients have a normal RBC count but a low hemoglobin level. This situation occurs with iron-deficiency anemia, in which red blood cells have less hemoglobin than normal. Iron deficiency anemia is also referred to as hypochromic anemia.
What is a critical low RBC count?
A low hemoglobin count is generally defined as less than 13.5 grams of hemoglobin per deciliter (135 grams per liter) of blood for men and less than 12 grams per deciliter (120 grams per liter) for women.
What do RBC indices mean?
Red blood cell (RBC) indices are part of the complete blood count (CBC) test. They are used to help diagnose the cause of anemia, a condition in which there are too few red blood cells. The indices include: Average red blood cell size (MCV) Hemoglobin amount per red blood cell (MCH)
Is hemoglobin and RBC the same?
Red blood cells (RBC) are made in the bone marrow and contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to the tissues in the body. These cells are also known as erythrocytes.
What does low RBC mean?
A low RBC count could also indicate a vitamin B6, B12 or folate deficiency. It may also signify internal bleeding, kidney disease or malnutrition (where a person’s diet doesn’t contain enough nutrients to meet their body’s needs).
Can Covid cause low blood count?
Low white blood cell counts have been found to contribute to severe disease and death in people with COVID.
What medications increase RBC?
Certain drugs like gentamicin and methyldopa can increase your RBC count . Gentamicin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in the blood. Methyldopa is often used to treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels to allow blood to flow more easily through the body.
What does it mean RBC are below low normal?
A low red blood cell count means you have anemia, a condition that could be caused by a variety of factors like blood loss, genetic disorders, cancer treatments and other causes. Discovering anemia is often the starting point to diagnosing an underlying condition. Red blood cells carry oxygen in the blood.
What causes high RBC levels?
A high RBC count could be caused by a number of health conditions or health-related factors, including: smoking. congenital heart disease. dehydration (for example, from severe diarrhoea) low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia)
What does it mean if your RBC and hemoglobin are low?
But if you have low hemoglobin count, that could make your RBC count either normal or abnormal. But of course, these two counts are different. A low count in RBC may indicate hemorrhage or bleeding, failure in the bone marrow or a tumor, or anemia.