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Red Blood Cells (RBC)

SI UNITS (recommended)

CONVENTIONAL UNITS



* The SI units is the recommended method of reporting clinical laboratory results

Synonym
Erythrocytes, RBC Count, Erythrocyte Count, Red Blood Cells Count
Units of measurement
10^12/L, T/L, Tpt/L, 10^6/µL, 10^6/mm^3, M/µL, M/mm^3, cells/µL, cells/mm^3, cells/L

The red blood cell (RBC) count is a measure of the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) per cubic millimeter (mm3) or liter (L) of blood. RBCs, which have a lifespan of 80 to 120 days, are produced by the bone marrow.

The main function of the red blood cell (RBC or erythrocyte) is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues and to transfer carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. This process is achieved by means of the Hb in the RBCs, which combines easily with oxygen and carbon dioxide and gives arterial blood a bright red appearance. To enable use of the maximal amount of Hb, the RBC is shaped like a biconcave disk—this affords more surface area for the Hb to combine with oxygen. The cell is also able to change its shape when necessary to allow for passage through the smaller capillaries.

RBC production is stimulated by erythropoietin, a hormone secreted by the kidney. The amount of erythropoietin secreted increases whenever tissue hypoxia occurs. Such hypoxia occurs in individuals living at high altitudes or in people who smoke. The result is the production of an increased number of red blood cells, a condition known as polycythemia. If the number of RBCs is decreased below normal, the condition is known as anemia. There are several different types of anemia, with additional testing needed to differentiate among the various types.

Increased in: Cardiovascular disease, Chronic hypoxia, Chronic lung disease, Congenital heart defects, Cushing’s disease, Hemoconcentration, Hepatic cancer, High altitude, Polycythemia vera, Smoking

Decreased in: Addison’s disease, Alcohol abuse, Anemias, Bone marrow suppression, Chronic infection, Chronic renal failure, Hemodilution, Hemolysis, Hemorrhage, Hodgkin’s disease, Hypothyroidism, Leukemia, Multiple myeloma, Myelodysplasia, Rheumatic fever, Subacute bacterial endocarditis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Vitamin deficiency (B6 , B12 , folic acid).

SI units Conversion Calculator. Convert Red Blood Cells (RBC) level to 10^12/L, T/L, Tpt/L, 10^6/µL, 10^6/mm^3, M/µL, M/mm^3, cells/µL, cells/mm^3, cells/L. Clinical laboratory units online conversion from conventional or traditional units to Si units. Table of conversion factors for Red Blood Cells (RBC) unit conversion to 10^12/L, T/L, Tpt/L, 10^6/µL, 10^6/mm^3, M/µL, M/mm^3, cells/µL, cells/mm^3, cells/L.