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Toggleif my rbc is 4.3, whether I’m female or male, it’s normal but borderline. So, it’s better to consult a doctor. red blood cell count is almost always part of a complete blood count (CBC), a group of tests that measure many parts and features of your blood. The RBC measurement is used to help diagnose red blood cell disorders, such as anemia. The normal ranges vary slightly among laboratories, but in general, are:
· men 4.0 to 5.9 (× 1012/L)
· women 3.8 to 5.2 (× 1012/L) (2)
* You can enter your lab test results online and get a personalized interpretation, including your condition in each test, definition, reasons for increased or decreased results, dietary and lifestyle recommendations, potential treatments, drug interactions, etc.
Red Blood Cells (RBC), also known as erythrocytes, are the functional component of blood responsible for the transportation of gases and nutrients throughout the human body. Their unique shape and composition allow for these specialized cells to carry out their essential functions (1).
Abnormal results
If your RBC count is higher than normal, you have erythrocytosis. It can be caused by a number of health conditions or health-related factors, including:
– smoking
– congenital heart disease
– dehydration (for example, from severe diarrhea)
– low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia)
– pulmonary fibrosis (a lung condition that causes scarring of the lungs) (2)
Several conditions can cause a person to have a low RBC count. These include:
– low iron levels in the blood
– cancer
– cancer treatments
– chronic kidney disease
– sickle cell disease
– blood loss
– major organ failure
– Malnutrition (3)
As mentioned, the reference range of red blood cell count varies among laboratories and 4.3 RBC may be considered low. In this case, you may need more tests to help make a diagnosis. These include:
· Reticulocyte count
· Iron tests
· Vitamin B test (4)
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