How many red blood cells in the body?

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Phan Dinh Thuy Tien - General Internal Medicine - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

Red blood cells in the blood carry oxygen to all cells in the body. The number of red blood cells indicates whether your blood is deficient or not, as well as other existing diseases in the body. A complete blood count shows this and the red blood cell count in the blood is the RBC reading.

Red blood cells are the most abundant component in blood cells with the task of transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, transporting CO2 from the tissues to the lungs. Therefore, red blood cells play an important role in the daily functioning of the body. When the red blood cell count or RBC index is less or more than the standard, it shows abnormal signs from the body.
The red blood cell count is usually between 4.2 and 5.9 million cells/cm3, which equates to a red blood cell count in international units of 4.2 to 5.9x1012 cells/l. The standard value of the RBC index in newborns is 3.8 M/μl, for women it is 3.9 – 5.6 M(million) /μl, and for men it is 4.5 – 6.5 M/μl.

When the RBC count is increased
When the red blood cell count is above the upper limit or in other words the higher RBC number is not common, the increased number of red blood cells can lead to hemoconcentration in the case of dehydration, vomiting, defecation or polycythemia vera. In addition, an increased number of red blood cells can also lead to a number of diseases such as cardiac and pulmonary circulatory disorders such as congenital heart disease, pulmonary artery stenosis or hypoxia. People who live in high mountains or athletes who use doping often have an increased red blood cell count compared to normal.
In case the RBC index decreases
In case the RBC index falls below the standard level, it may be a sign of anemia, blood loss caused by gastrointestinal bleeding in the stomach or duodenum. Some diagnoses that indicate low red blood cells are blood deficiency of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12. Many cases of reduced red blood cell count are destroyed by the effects of some concurrent factor. In pregnant women, the elderly, patients with myelosuppression, acute rheumatic fever, kidney disease, and cancer often have signs of RBC index falling below the standard level.

Besides, to evaluate erythrocytes, in the total blood analysis test, two indices, MCV and MCH, can also be used. In which MCV evaluates the size of large, small or normal red blood cells, while MCH evaluates the color of dark, light or normal red blood cells. If the MCV, MCH index is lower than normal, the patient can be diagnosed with microcytic anemia, which is common in iron deficiency, Thalessemia gene carrier... On the contrary, if MCV, MCH is higher than normal, it means Enlarged red blood cells can diagnose liver disease, alcoholism, vitamin B12 deficiency, folic acid deficiency...

In addition, in the total blood analysis test, we can know some more meanings of important indicators such as hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT)... These are important indicators, HBG represents the amount of hemoglobin in the blood, which is a protein found in red blood cells. This substance allows the transport of O2 from the lungs to the cells and the transport of CO2 from the cells to the lungs. When HGB is below the norm, it is a sign to diagnose anemia. Whereas HCT shows the volume of blood, red blood cells account for what percentage. An excess HCT is a sign of dehydration or maybe you have some kind of cancer. To determine the standard, you need to do in-depth tests to make a more accurate diagnosis.
The total blood analysis test is a routine test that should be performed regularly to know the general health status, as well as detect diseases early. After detecting abnormalities in blood indicators, in-depth tests, as well as paraclinical methods will be indicated to accurately diagnose the disease. Therefore, regular blood tests are indispensable to ensure stable health.
Blood count test can be done individually or in all packages of General Health Checkup of Vinmec. To protect your health and timely detect diseases through blood count tests, you should check your health every 6 months for health advice and effective disease prevention.