Is 3.99 low for red blood count?

Is 3.99 low for red blood count?

If you’re a woman, it’s normal. But if you’re a man, 3.99 is borderline and its reduction can be problematic in the future. So consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Decreased RBC count, and anemia, may be due to:

· Iron deficiency

· chronic disease

· Sideroblastic anemia

· Thalassemia

· Lead poisoning

· Renal failure

· Aplastic anemia

· Pure red cell aplasia

· Myelofibrosis or myelophthisic processes

· Multiple myeloma

· Alcohol

· Liver disease

· Hypothyroidism

· Folate and Vitamin B12 deficiency

· Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)

· Drug-induced

· Hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell, thalassemias)

· Enzymopathies (G6PD deficiency, pyruvate kinase deficiency)

· Membrane defects (hereditary spherocytosis, hereditary elliptocytosis)

· Intravascular hemolysis (3)

When to see a doctor?

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have the following symptoms:

– Fatigue

– Weakness

– Pale skin and gums

– Shortness of breath

– A fast or irregular heartbeat

If tests show that the person’s low RBC count is due to a different cause, doctors will attempt to treat the underlying condition. Diet and lifestyle choices may help the RBC count improve on its own (4,5).

* IF your question is “Is 3.99 low for red blood count? “ 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

Red Blood Cells (RBC), also known as erythrocytes, are a type of blood cell that is made in the bone marrow and found in the blood. Their main physiological role is to carry hemoglobin around the body in high concentrations such that oxygen is taken up in the lungs and delivered to the tissues. To accomplish this, RBCs have certain physical characteristics requiring energy to maintain them.(1)

The RBC count is usually part of a complete blood count (CBC) test, which measures many components in your blood. The normal ranges of RBC count vary slightly among different labs, but generally, are:

· men                                   4.0 to 5.9     (×1012/L)

· women                              3.8 to 5.2     (×1012/L) (2)

References:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263931906001244
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/red-blood-count/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499994/
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/low-hemoglobin/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050760
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319457#when-to-contact-a-doctor