What does low RBC mean in CBC?

A low red blood count, or anemia, can cause feelings of fatigue and weakness. When a person has a lower red blood count than is normal, their body has to work harder to get enough oxygen to the cells. A low red blood cell (RBC) count can cause a variety of symptoms and health complications.

What do low RBC levels indicate?

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).

Why are my patients RBC low?

Missing certain vitamins or minerals in the diet because of not eating enough. Low iron levels in blood. Major organ problems (including severe heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease) Red blood cells (RBCs) being destroyed by the body before they’re replaced.

What level of RBC is considered anemic?

In men, anemia is defined as hemoglobin < 14 g/dL (140 g/L), hematocrit < 42% (< 0.42) , or RBC < 4.5 million/mcL (< 4.5 × 10 12/L). In women, hemoglobin < 12 g/dL (120 g/L), hematocrit < 37% (< 0.37), or RBC < 4 million/mcL (< 4 × 10 12/L) is considered anemia.

What causes RBC levels to be low?

A low RBC count indicates a decrease in oxygen-carrying cells in the blood. The causes can be many, ranging from infections and deficiencies to malnutrition to malignancies, including: Anemia. Kidney failure. Thyroid problems. Bleeding, internal or external. Leukemia, a type of blood cancer.

What are the symptoms of low RBC?

Various symptoms of low RBC count can include fatigue, being easily tired, pale appearance, palpitations (heart racing), shortness of breath, etc. Other symptoms like hair loss, malaise (feeling unwell) and worsening of heart problems can also indicate low RBC count (Anemia).

How is low RBC cause for concern?

Here’s our process. A low red blood count, or anemia, can cause feelings of fatigue and weakness. When a person has a lower red blood count than is normal, their body has to work harder to get enough oxygen to the cells. A low red blood cell (RBC) count can cause a variety of symptoms and health complications.

What are the interventions for low RBC?

Certain drugs can also lower your RBC count, especially: chemotherapy drugs chloramphenicol , which treats bacterial infections quinidine, which can treat irregular heartbeats hydantoins , which are traditionally used to treat epilepsy and muscle spasms