Age norms of erythrocytes in the blood test of women. Erythrocytes in the blood: normal. What is the danger of an increase and decrease in the level of red blood cells in the blood? Erythrocytes the norm of a woman

The first school lessons on the structure of the human body introduce the main “inhabitants of the blood: red cells - erythrocytes (Er, RBC), which determine the color due to the content they contain, and white (leukocytes), the presence of which is not visible to the eye, because they do not affect.

Human erythrocytes, unlike animals, do not have a nucleus, but before losing it, they must go from the erythroblast cell, where hemoglobin synthesis just begins, reach the last nuclear stage - accumulating hemoglobin, and turn into a mature nuclear-free cell, the main component of which is the red blood pigment.

What people did not do with erythrocytes, studying their properties: and around the globe they tried to wrap them (it turned out 4 times), and put them in coin columns (52 thousand kilometers), and compare the area of erythrocytes with the surface area of the human body (erythrocytes exceeded all expectations, their area turned out to be 1.5 thousand times higher).

These unique cells...

Another one important feature erythrocytes lies in their biconcave shape, but if they were spherical, then their total surface area would be 20% less than the real one. However, the ability of erythrocytes lies not only in the size of their total area. Due to the biconcave disc shape:

Red blood cells are able to carry more oxygen and carbon dioxide;
Show plasticity and freely pass through narrow holes and curved capillary vessels, that is, there are practically no obstacles for young full-fledged cells in the bloodstream. The ability to penetrate into the most remote corners of the body is lost with the age of red blood cells, as well as in their pathological conditions, when their shape and size change. For example, spherocytes, sickle-shaped, weights and pears (poikilocytosis) do not have such high plasticity, macrocytes cannot crawl into narrow capillaries, and even more so, megalocytes (anisocytosis), therefore, the altered cells do not perform their tasks so flawlessly.

The chemical composition of Er is mainly represented by water (60%) and dry residue (40%), in which 90 - 95% is occupied by the red blood pigment -, and the remaining 5-10% are distributed between lipids (cholesterol, lecithin, cephalin), proteins, carbohydrates, salts (potassium, sodium, copper, iron, zinc) and, of course, enzymes (carbonic anhydrase, cholinesterase, glycolytic, etc.).

The cellular structures that we are used to marking in other cells (nucleus, chromosomes, vacuoles) are absent in Er as unnecessary. Red blood cells live up to 3 - 3.5 months, then grow old and with the help of erythropoietic factors that are released during cell destruction, they give the command that it is time to replace them with new ones - young and healthy.

The erythrocyte takes its beginning from the precursors, which, in turn, come from the stem cell. Red blood cells are reproduced, if everything is normal in the body, in the bone marrow of flat bones (skull, spine, sternum, ribs, pelvic bones). In cases where, for some reason, the bone marrow cannot produce them (tumor damage), erythrocytes “remember” that other organs (liver, thymus, spleen) were involved in intrauterine development and force the body to start erythropoiesis in forgotten places.

How many should be normal?

The total number of red blood cells contained in the body as a whole, and the concentration of red cells plying through the bloodstream are different concepts. AT total number cells enter that have not yet left the bone marrow, have gone to the depot in case of unforeseen circumstances, or set sail to perform their immediate duties. The totality of all three populations of erythrocytes is called - erythron. Erythron contains from 25 x 10 12 /l (Tera / liter) to 30 x 10 12 /l red blood cells.

The rate of red blood cells in the blood of adults differs by gender, and in children, depending on age. In this way:

The norm in women ranges from 3.8 - 4.5 x 10 12 / l, respectively, they also have less hemoglobin;
What is normal for a woman is called anemia in men. mild degree, since the lower and upper bound their erythrocyte norms are noticeably higher: 4.4 x 5.0 x 10 12 / l (the same applies to hemoglobin);
In children under one year old, the concentration of erythrocytes is constantly changing, therefore, for each month (in newborns - every day) there is its own norm. And if suddenly in the blood test the erythrocytes in a child of two weeks old are increased to 6.6 x 10 12 / l, then this cannot be regarded as a pathology, it’s just that newborns have such a norm (4.0 - 6.6 x 10 12 / l).
Some fluctuations are observed after a year of life, but normal values \u200b\u200bare not very different from those in adults. In adolescents 12-13 years old, the content of hemoglobin in erythrocytes and the level of erythrocytes themselves correspond to the norm of adults.

An increased number of red blood cells is called erythrocytosis, which can be absolute (true) and redistributive. Redistributive erythrocytosis is not a pathology and occurs when red blood cells are elevated under certain circumstances:

Stay in a mountainous area;
Active physical labor and sports;
Psycho-emotional arousal;
Dehydration (loss of body fluid through diarrhea, vomiting, etc.).

High levels of erythrocytes in the blood are a sign of pathology and true erythrocytosis if they are the result of increased formation of red blood cells caused by unlimited proliferation (reproduction) of the precursor cell and its differentiation into mature forms of erythrocytes ().

Decreased concentration of red blood cells is called erythropenia. It is observed with blood loss, inhibition of erythropoiesis, the breakdown of erythrocytes () under the influence of adverse factors. Low red blood cells and reduced content Hb in erythrocytes is a sign.

What does the abbreviation mean?

Modern hematology analyzers, in addition to hemoglobin (HGB), reduced or high content erythrocytes in the blood (RBC), (HCT) and other usual tests, other indicators can be calculated, which are indicated by the Latin abbreviation and are not at all clear to the reader:

In addition to all the listed advantages of erythrocytes, I would like to note one more thing:

Erythrocytes are considered a mirror reflecting the state of many organs. A kind of indicator that can "feel" problems or allows you to monitor the course of the pathological process is.

Big ship - big voyage

Why are red blood cells so important in the diagnosis of many pathological conditions? Their special role follows and is formed due to unique opportunities, and so that the reader can imagine the true significance of red blood cells, let's try to list their duties in the body.

Truly, The functional tasks of red blood cells are wide and varied:

They transport oxygen to tissues (with the participation of hemoglobin).
They carry carbon dioxide (with the participation, in addition to hemoglobin, of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase and the ion exchanger Cl- / HCO 3).
They perform a protective function, as they are able to adsorb harmful substances and transfer antibodies (immunoglobulins), components of the complementary system, formed immune complexes (Ab-Ag) on its surface, as well as synthesize an antibacterial substance called erythrin.
Participate in the exchange and regulation of water-salt balance.
Provide nutrition to tissues (erythrocytes adsorb and carry amino acids).
They participate in maintaining informational links in the body due to the transfer of macromolecules that these links provide (creator function).
They contain thromboplastin, which leaves the cell when red blood cells are destroyed, which is a signal for the coagulation system to begin hypercoagulation and formation. In addition to thromboplastin, erythrocytes carry heparin, which prevents thrombosis. Thus, the active participation of erythrocytes in the process of blood coagulation is obvious.
Red blood cells are capable of suppressing high immunoreactivity (acting as suppressors), which can be used in the treatment of various tumor and autoimmune diseases.
They participate in the regulation of the production of new cells (erythropoiesis) by releasing erythropoietic factors from destroyed old erythrocytes.

Red blood cells are destroyed mainly in the liver and spleen with the formation of decay products (iron). By the way, if we consider each cell separately, then it will not be so red, rather, yellowish-red. Accumulating in huge millions of masses, they, thanks to the hemoglobin in them, become the way we used to see them - a rich red color.

Video: lesson on red blood cells and blood functions

A complete blood count is referred to as routine research in any clinical laboratory - this is the first analysis that a person takes when he undergoes a medical examination or when he falls ill. AT laboratory work KLA is classified as a general clinical research method ( clinical analysis blood).

Even people who are far from all laboratory intricacies, full of a mass of hard-to-pronounce terms, were well versed in the norms, values, names and other parameters as long as the cells of the leukocyte link (leukocyte formula), erythrocytes and hemoglobin with a color indicator appeared in the answer form. Widespread settlement medical institutions laboratory service was not spared with all kinds of equipment, many experienced patients found themselves at a dead end: some kind of incomprehensible abbreviation of Latin letters, a lot of all sorts of numbers, various characteristics of erythrocytes and platelets ...

Do-It-Yourself Decryption

Difficulties for patients are the general blood test, produced by an automatic analyzer and scrupulously rewritten into a form by the responsible laboratory assistant. By the way, no one has canceled the "gold standard" of clinical research (microscope and doctor's eyes), therefore, any analysis performed for diagnostics must be applied to glass, stained and viewed in order to identify morphological changes in blood cells. In the event of a significant decrease or increase in a certain cell population, the device may not be able to cope and “protest” (refuse to work), no matter how good it is.

Sometimes people try to find the differences between a general and clinical blood test, but there is no need to look for them, because a clinical analysis implies the same study, which is called general for convenience (shorter and clearer), but the essence of this does not change.

A general (detailed) blood test includes:

Determination of the content of cellular elements of the blood: - red blood cells containing the pigment hemoglobin, which determines the color of the blood, and which do not contain this pigment, therefore they are called white blood cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes);
Level ;
(in a hematological analyzer, although it can be approximately determined by eye after the erythrocytes spontaneously settle to the bottom);
, calculated according to the formula, if the study was carried out manually, without the participation of laboratory equipment;
, which was previously called the reaction (ROE).

A general blood test shows the reaction of this valuable biological fluid on any processes occurring in the body. How many red blood cells and hemoglobin it contains, performing the function of respiration (transferring oxygen to tissues and removing carbon dioxide from them), leukocytes that protect the body from infection, participate in the coagulation process, how the body reacts to pathological processes, in a word, KLA reflects the state of the body itself in different periods life. The concept of "detailed blood test" means that, in addition to the main indicators (leukocytes, hemoglobin, erythrocytes), the leukocyte formula (and cells of the agranulocytic series) is studied in detail.

It is better to entrust the interpretation of the blood test to the doctor, but if there is a special desire, the patient can try to independently study the result issued in the clinical laboratory, and we will help him with this by combining the usual names with the abbreviation of the automatic analyzer.

Table is easier to understand

As a rule, the results of the study are recorded on a special form, which is sent to the doctor or given to the patient. To make it easier to navigate, let's try to present a detailed analysis in the form of a table, in which we will enter the norm of blood indicators. The reader in the table will also see such cells as. They are not among the mandatory indicators of a complete blood count and are young forms of red blood cells, that is, they are the precursors of erythrocytes. Reticulocytes are examined to identify the cause of anemia. In the peripheral blood of an adult healthy person there are very few of them (the norm is given in the table), in newborns these cells can be 10 times more.

No. p / p	Indicators	Norm
1	Red blood cells (RBC), 10 x 12 cells per liter of blood (10 12 /l, tera / liter) men women	4,4 - 5,0 3,8 - 4,5
2	Hemoglobin (HBG, Hb), grams per liter of blood (g/l) men women	130 - 160 120 - 140
3	Hematocrit (HCT), % men women	39 - 49 35 - 45
4	Color Index (CPU)	0,8 - 1,0
5	Mean erythrocyte volume (MCV), femtoliter (fl)	80 - 100
6	Average content of hemoglobin in an erythrocyte (MCH), picograms (pg)	26 - 34
7	Mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), grams per deciliter (g/dL)	3,0 - 37,0
8	Erythrocyte anisocytosis (RDW), %	11,5 - 14,5
9	Reticulocytes (RET) % ‰	0,2 - 1,2 2,0 - 12,0
10	Leukocytes (WBC), 10 x 9 cells per liter of blood (10 9 /l, giga/liter)	4,0 - 9,0
11	Basophils (BASO), %	0 - 1
12	Basophils (BASO), 10 9 /l (absolute values)	0 - 0,065
13	Eosinophils (EO), %	0,5 - 5
14	Eosinophils (EO), 10 9 /l	0,02 - 0,3
15	Neutrophils (NEUT), % myelocytes, % young, % Stab neutrophils, % in absolute terms, 10 9 /l Segmented neutrophils, % in absolute terms, 10 9 /l	47 - 72 0 0 1 - 6 0,04 - 0,3 47 – 67 2,0 – 5,5
16	Lymphocytes (LYM), %	19 - 37
17	Lymphocytes (LYM), 10 9 /l	1,2 - 3,0
18	Monocytes (MON), %	3 - 11
19	Monocytes (MON), 10 9 /l	0,09 - 0,6
20	Platelets (PLT), 10 9 /l	180,0 - 320,0
21	Average platelet volume (MPV), fl or µm 3	7 - 10
22	Platelet anisocytosis (PDW), %	15 - 17
23	Thrombocrit (PCT), %	0,1 - 0,4
24	men women	1 - 10 2 -15

And a separate table for children

Adaptation to new living conditions of all body systems of newborns, their further development in children after a year and the final formation in adolescence makes blood counts different from those of adults. It should not be surprising that the norms of a small child and a person who has stepped over the age of majority can sometimes differ markedly, so there is a table of normal values \u200b\u200bfor children.

No. p / p	Index	Norm
1	Erythrocytes (RBC), 10 12 /l first days of life up to a year 16 years 6 - 12 years old 12 - 16 years old	4,4 - 6,6 3,6 - 4,9 3,5 - 4,5 3,5 - 4,7 3,6 - 5,1
2	Hemoglobin (HBG, Hb), g/l first days of life (due to fetal Hb) up to a year 16 years 6 - 16 years old	140 - 220 100 - 140 110 - 145 115 - 150
3	Reticulocytes (RET), ‰ up to a year 16 years 6 - 12 12 - 16	3 - 15 3 - 12 2 - 12 2 - 11
4	Basophils (BASO), % of all	0 - 1
5	Eosinophils (EO), % up to a year 1 - 12 years over 12	2 - 7 1 - 6 1 - 5
6	Neutrophils (NEUT), % up to a year 1-6 years old 6 - 12 years old 12 - 16 years old	15 - 45 25 - 60 35 - 65 40 - 65
7	Lymphocytes (LYM), % up to a year 16 years 6 - 12 years old 12 - 16 years old	38 - 72 26 - 60 24 - 54 25 - 50
8	Monocytes (MON), % up to a year 1 - 16 years old	2 -12 2 - 10
9	Platelets10 9 cells/l up to a year 16 years 6 - 12 years old 12 - 16 years old	180 - 400 180 - 400 160 - 380 160 - 390
10	Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), mm/hour up to 1 month up to a year 1 - 16 years old	0 - 2 2 - 12 2 - 10

It should be noted that in different medical sources and in different laboratories, the values \u200b\u200bof the norm may also differ. This is not due to the fact that someone does not know how many certain cells should be or what normal level hemoglobin. Just, using different analytical systems and methods, each laboratory has its own reference values. However, these subtleties are unlikely to be of interest to the reader ...

Red blood cells in the general blood test and their characteristics

Or red blood cells (Er, Er) - the most numerous group of cellular elements of the blood, represented by non-nuclear discs of a biconcave shape ( the norm for women and men is different and is 3.8 - 4.5 x 10 12 / l and 4.4 - 5.0 x 10 12 / l, respectively). Red blood cells lead the overall blood count. Having numerous functions (tissue respiration, regulation of water-salt balance, transfer of antibodies and immunocomplexes on their surfaces, participation in the coagulation process, etc.), these cells have the ability to penetrate into the most inaccessible places (narrow and tortuous capillaries). To accomplish these tasks, erythrocytes must have certain qualities: size, shape, and high plasticity. Any changes in these parameters that are outside the norm are shown by a complete blood count (examination of the red part).

Red blood cells contain an important component for the body, consisting of protein and iron. This is a red blood pigment called. A decrease in erythrocytes in the blood usually entails a drop in the level of Hb, although there is another picture: there are enough red blood cells, but many of them are empty, then the KLA will also have a low content of red pigment. In order to find out and evaluate all these indicators, there are special formulas that doctors used before the advent of automatic analyzers. Now the equipment is engaged in similar cases, and additional columns with an incomprehensible abbreviation and new units of measurement have appeared in the form of a general blood test:

Indicator of many diseases - ESR

It is considered an indicator (non-specific) of a wide variety of pathological changes in the body, so this test is almost never bypassed in a diagnostic search. The ESR norm depends on gender and age - in absolutely healthy women, it can be 1.5 times higher than this indicator in children and adult men.

As a rule, such an indicator as ESR is recorded at the bottom of the form, that is, it, as it were, completes the general blood test. Most cases of ESR is measured in 60 minutes (1 hour) in Panchenkov’s tripod, which is indispensable to this day, however, in our high-tech time there are devices that reduce the determination time, but not all laboratories have them.

definition of ESR

Leukocyte formula

Leukocytes (Le) are a "motley" group of cells representing "white" blood. The number of leukocytes is not as high as the content of red blood cells (erythrocytes), their normal value in an adult varies between 4.0 - 9.0 x 10 9 / l.

In the KLA, these cells are represented as two populations:

Granulocyte cells (granular leukocytes), containing granules that are filled with biologically active substances (BAS): (rods, segments, young, myelocytes),;
Representatives of the agranulocytic series, which, however, can also have granules, but of a different origin and purpose: immunocompetent cells () and “orderlies” of the body - (macrophages).

The most common cause of an increase in leukocytes in the blood () is an infectious-inflammatory process:

In the acute phase, the neutrophil pool is activated and, accordingly, increases (up to the release of young forms);
A little later, monocytes (macrophages) are included in the process;
The stage of recovery can be determined by an increased number of eosinophils and lymphocytes.

Calculation leukocyte formula, as mentioned above, is not fully trusted even by the most high-tech equipment, although it cannot be suspected of errors - the devices work well and accurately, they provide a large amount of information, significantly exceeding that when working manually. However, there is one tiny nuance - the machine is not yet fully able to see morphological changes in the cytoplasm and nuclear apparatus of the leukocyte cell and replace the doctor's eyes. In this regard, the identification of pathological forms is still carried out visually, and the analyzer is allowed to count the total number of white blood cells and divide leukocytes into 5 parameters (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes and lymphocytes), if the laboratory has a high-precision class 3 analytical system .

Through the eyes of man and machine

Hematological analyzers of the latest generation are not only capable of performing a complex analysis of granulocyte representatives, but also of differentiating agranulocytic cells (lymphocytes) within a population (subpopulations of T-cells, B-lymphocytes). Doctors successfully use their services, but, unfortunately, such equipment is still a privilege. specialized clinics and large medical centers. In the absence of any hematological analyzer, the number of leukocytes can also be counted using the old-fashioned method (in the Goryaev chamber). Meanwhile, the reader should not think that this or that method (manual or automatic) is necessarily better, the doctors working in the laboratory monitor this, controlling themselves and the machine, and at the slightest doubt will suggest the patient to repeat the study. So, leukocytes:

Platelet link

Next abbreviation in general analysis blood refers to cells called platelets or. The study of platelets without a hematological analyzer is quite laborious, the cells require special approach to stain, so without an analytical system, this test is performed on an as-needed basis and is not the default analysis.

The analyzer, distributing cells, like red blood cells, calculates the total number of platelets and platelet indices (MPV, PDW, PCT):

PLT- an indicator indicating the number of platelets (platelets). An increase in platelet count in the blood is called, a reduced level is classified as thrombocytopenia.
MPV- the average volume of platelets, the uniformity of the size of the platelet population, expressed in femtoliters;
PDW- the width of the distribution of these cells by volume -%, quantitatively - the degree of platelet anisocytosis;
PCT() - an analogue of hematocrit, expressed as a percentage and denotes the proportion of platelets in whole blood.

Elevated platelets and change one way or the other platelet indices may indicate the presence of a rather serious pathology: myeloproliferative diseases, inflammatory processes of an infectious nature, localized in various organs, as well as the development malignant neoplasm. Meanwhile, the number of platelets can increase: physical exercise childbirth, surgical interventions.

decline the content of these cells is observed in autoimmune processes, angiopathy, infections, massive transfusions. A slight drop in platelet levels is noted before menstruation and during pregnancy, however a decrease in their number to 140.0 x 10 9 /l and below should already be a cause for concern.

Does everyone know how to prepare for analysis?

It is known that many indicators (especially leukocytes and erythrocytes) change depending on the circumstances.

Psycho-emotional stress;
Food (digestive leukocytosis);
Bad habits in the form of smoking or thoughtless use of strong drinks;
The use of certain drugs;
Solar radiation (before testing, it is undesirable to go to the beach).

Nobody wants to get unreliable results, in this regard, you need to go for an analysis on an empty stomach, on a sober head and without a morning cigarette, calm down in 30 minutes, do not run or jump. People must know that in the afternoon, after exposure to the sun and during heavy physical labor, some leukocytosis will be noted in the blood.

The female gender has even more restrictions, so the representatives of the fair half need to remember that:

The ovulation phase raises the total number of leukocytes, but reduces the level of eosinophils;
Neutrophilia is noted during pregnancy (before childbirth and during their course);
Pain associated with menstruation and menstruation themselves can also cause certain changes in the results of the analysis - you will have to donate blood again.

Blood for a detailed blood test, provided that it is carried out in a hematological analyzer, is now in most cases taken from a vein, simultaneously with other analyzes (biochemistry), but in a separate test tube (vacutainer with an anticoagulant placed in it - EDTA). There are also small microcontainers (with EDTA) designed to take blood from the finger (earlobes, heels), which are more often used to take tests from babies.

The indicators of blood from a vein are somewhat different from the results obtained in the study of capillary blood - in the venous hemoglobin is higher, there are more erythrocytes. Meanwhile, it is believed that it is better to take OAC from a vein: cells are less injured, contact with blood is minimized. skin, moreover, the volume of the taken venous blood if necessary, it allows you to repeat the analysis if the results turn out to be doubtful, or expand the range of studies (what if it turns out that reticulocytes also need to be done?).

In addition, many people (by the way, more often adults), completely unresponsive to venipuncture, are terrified of a scarifier with which they pierce a finger, and fingers are sometimes blue and cold - blood is obtained with difficulty. The analytical system that produces a detailed blood test “knows” how to work with venous and capillary blood, it is programmed to different variants, so it can easily "figure out" what's what. Well, if the device fails, then it will be replaced by a highly qualified specialist who will check, double-check and make a decision, relying not only on the ability of the machine, but also on his own eyes.

Video: clinical blood test - Dr. Komarovsky

Erythrocytes are called red blood cells, the synthesis of which is involved in the bone marrow. Every second, more than two million of these essential components of the human body are born in it, and approximately the same number die.

Red blood cells are composed almost entirely of hemoglobin. Its share is about 95%. The remaining 5% are proteins and lipids.

AT human body red blood cells make up a quarter of all cells, which is a lot. Therefore, if some kind of failure occurs in the body, the red blood cells will definitely become either less or more, which cannot but affect the well-being: after all, the internal balance is disturbed.

The rate of erythrocytes in female blood

The blood contains trillions of red blood cells. In the form of the results of the analysis, they are recorded as follows: *** x10 12 g / l.

The average healthy woman the norm of erythrocytes is as follows: 3.80–5.10 × 10 12 g / l. It is tied to age and changes depending on it.

The number of red blood cells in young girls

In quite young age, namely from fifteen to eighteen years old, when the puberty, the number of erythrocytes is considered normal if the following range is observed (x10 12 g/l):

minimum - 3.50;
the maximum is 5.00.

Erythrocytes in women from 18 to 65 years

After the age of eighteen, the number of red cells in the blood of girls increases slightly. Indeed, this only applies lower bound norms. It grows up to 3.9×10 12 g/l.

The upper value of the norm remains unchanged. Almost all adult life the optimal number of erythrocytes remains the same. Corrections are made only by the period when a woman is expecting a baby.

red blood cells during pregnancy

In a woman "in an interesting position", the total volume of blood increases due to the growth of its liquid component. It dilutes because the body future mother water is often retained. In addition, women in position almost always have a lack of iron, which leads to a decrease in the formation of red blood cells.

Therefore, for pregnant women, a decrease in the number of red cells to 3.0×10 12 g/l is not considered a deviation from the norm.

But the specific gravity of reticulocytes should not change. In the process of blood formation, they are born before red blood cells. Their share in any position, if the woman is healthy, should be unchanged and be about one percent.

After the birth of the crumbs, the number of red blood cells returns to normal limits.

Red blood cells after 65

With the onset of venerable years, there is a slight decrease in the number of red blood cells. The childbearing period is over, menopause has come, and nothing but ailments should affect the rate of red blood cells.

The optimal number of red blood cells in women who are 65 years old is (x10 12 g/l):

minimum - 3.50;
maximum - 4.80.

During this period, a woman needs to carefully monitor her well-being and rush to consult a doctor even with slight deviations in the blood composition from the norm.

Erythrocytes are above normal

An excess of red blood cells is called erythrocytosis. There are such types of it:

Physiological. It is considered a variant of the norm, since it is inherent in those women who are either actively involved in exercise, or live in an area located several hundred or thousand meters above sea level, that is, in the mountains.
Constant stress can also increase normal red blood cell levels. An excess of red cells is considered as an adaptation of the body to an increased need for oxygen, which during external environment not enough.
False. This type of erythrocytosis is the result of a significant loss of water due to prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, increased sweating. There is less plasma in the blood, and a drop taken for analysis will contain more formed elements than the established norm. The total number of erythrocytes in the blood is normal.
Pathological. Its development is possible in the case of liver diseases and the appearance of tumors in the kidneys or adrenal glands.

For treatment certain diseases steroids are prescribed. Prolonged use of them can also cause red blood cells to exceed the norm.

Erythrocytosis is often accompanied by such manifestations:

bright blush and redness of the skin;
dizziness and frequent headaches;
blood flows from the nose.

RBCs below normal

A decrease in red blood cells compared to the norm (erythropenia) is most often caused by the appearance of anemia in a woman. It may result from:

internal bleeding;
heavy menstruation;
significant blood loss due to trauma or abdominal surgery;
disruption in the production of red blood cells.

In expectant mothers, an insufficient amount of iron in the body leads to a decrease in the number of red blood cells.

Also, the causes of erythropenia are:

deficiency of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) and folic acid(vitamin B9);
introducing too much saline into the body through a dropper;
accelerated destruction of red blood cells due to hereditary diseases, heavy metal poisoning. This situation is often observed in those women in whose body there is an artificial heart valve.

The deviation of red blood cells from the norm can be caused by various reasons: ordinary and serious.

Update: December 2018

Any examination of the blood is not complete without the study of red blood cells. Deviation from the norm of erythrocytes in the blood can reduce the quality of life, provoke the occurrence of infections and significantly worsen the prognosis in chronic pathologies (especially affecting the heart). This indicator should be monitored at least once a year.

What are erythrocytes?

Erythrocytes (red blood cells) perform not only an aesthetic function. There are about 1000 times more of them than other blood cells (lymphocytes, neutrophils, platelets, etc.) and this distribution is not accidental. A smaller number would not be enough to fulfill their main task - transport of oxygen to all human tissues.

In their structure, these are oval cells, concave on both sides, resembling an ordinary donut in shape. Almost the entire space inside them is filled with hemoglobin, a complex protein structure that binds oxygen and carbon dioxide. Circulating between the lungs and all other tissues along the blood stream, these formations allow each cell to fully “breathe”, exchanging the listed gases.

The creation of red blood cells takes place in the "red brain", which is located inside the bones of the body. Their average lifespan is almost six months, after which they are destroyed in the spleen, and hemoglobin residues are excreted along with feces and urine. Violation life cycle erythrocytes can lead to various violations, due to which the process of cellular respiration becomes defective.

The number of red blood cells is normal

The level of red blood cells in a healthy person depends on age, gender and individual characteristics. Until the age of 18, the child's body is constantly growing, his blood volume changes, which affects the content of blood cells. In women, after puberty, a number of hormonal changes occur. One of their results is a lower rate of red blood cells than men.

For a more accurate assessment of the indicator, all these nuances should be taken into account. The figures below are taken from scientific journal“Practical Medicine” and publications of the independent monitoring fund “Health”. It is these data that clinicians recommend using when studying a blood test.

It should be remembered that almost every laboratory has its own average values, which are indicated on the analysis form.

Reasons for the decrease in the level

Acute or chronic blood loss. Acute occur during and after operations, injuries. Chronic: with internal bleeding with peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal diseases, hemorrhoids, intestinal cancer;
Deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid in food or poor absorption of them;
Excess fluid intake ( intravenous infusions), fluid intake in large numbers;
Rapid destruction of red blood cells due to hereditary diseases (sickle cell anemia) or errors in blood transfusion, in patients with an artificial heart valve and in poisoning with poisons, heavy metals;
With alcohol abuse, with tumors in the bone marrow or metastases, the number of reticulocytes in the blood decreases in it.

Skin with hemolytic anemia

Most often, a decrease in red blood cells is due to anemia. A decrease in the rate of red blood cells below the norm in women or men is almost always a manifestation of the disease. In a healthy person, their number should not decrease, even with severe physical or emotional stress.

There are 4 types of anemia and 4 mechanisms of disorders that lead to this disease. For each of them, special therapeutic approaches have been developed that act only on one particular type of pathology, and do not affect the rest. The most characteristic causes of a decrease in red blood cells and their mechanisms of action are described below:

Anemia, characteristic causes	How do they affect the body?
Bleeding, including chronic (with peptic ulcer, NSAID gastropathy, nosebleeds, heavy menstruation etc.); Vegetarianism; Peptic ulcer of the duodenum or its absence (after surgery).	Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, without which oxygen transport is impossible. Its excessive loss or insufficient intake inevitably leads to a decrease in the number of red blood cells.
B12-deficient Irrational nutrition, excluding meat, fish and dairy products; Any pathology of the stomach (gastritis, NSAID-gastropathy, peptic ulcer, condition after removal of part of the stomach, etc.).	Without these two vitamins, it is impossible to create cells in the body. Therefore, their deficiency leads to a deviation from the norm of erythrocyte parameters.
Folic deficiency Diet that excludes fresh vegetables / fruits; Damage small intestine(duodenal ulcer, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, etc.); Chronic pancreatitis; Alcoholism; Side effects of drugs (Methotrexate)
Hemolytic Hemolytic disease of the newborn (when an Rh-positive child is born again by an Rh-negative mother); Side effects of drugs, for example: sulfanilamide antibiotics (Biseptol), cytostatics (Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Azathioprine, etc.), antitumor therapy; Enlargement of the spleen (with cirrhosis of the liver, any cancer).	Hemolysis is the destruction of blood cells. The more aggressively this process proceeds, the more symptoms disturb the patient.

In rare cases, it is possible to find abnormal blood tests for red blood cells in patients with kidney disease. The greatest danger is represented by various glomerulonephritis, organ damage in autoimmune diseases (lupus, scleroderma) and glomerulosclerosis. This disorder occurs due to a lack of the kidney hormone erythropoietin, which is responsible for the production of red blood cells.

Symptoms

The lack of oxygen in the tissues almost always affects the patient's well-being. The most common manifestations of anemia include:

Constant weakness;
fatigue;
Irritability;
Attacks of dizziness, headaches, or palpitations;
"Aches" in the muscles.

With a slight decrease in oxygen levels, a person can for a long time ignore these symptoms. Their severity increases as the number of erythrocytes decreases. In severe cases, the patient may experience fainting, heart murmurs, and signs oxygen starvation all fabrics.

In addition to the listed symptoms that may accompany various diseases(SARS, bacterial infection, oncological pathologies and others), there are specific manifestations of each type of anemia. The presence of these signs allows not only with a high degree of probability to determine the decrease in the rate of erythrocytes in children or adults, but also to suggest a possible cause of this process.

Characteristic symptoms	Additional changes in analyzes
iron deficiency "Perversion" of taste - a person is attracted by rather specific spices and smells (gasoline, diesel fuel, paint and varnish products, etc.); The appearance of brittle hair and nails; Dryness and increased peeling of the skin; Constant thirst; The appearance of a blue tint of the sclera (visible white part of the eye); "Zaeda" in the corners of the mouth.	Biochemical analysis: Decreased serum iron level less than 9 µmol/l; Increased iron-binding capacity (OZHSS) more than 66 µmol/l; Increasing the level of transferrin more than 3.8 g / l; less than 10 µl.
B 12 - deficient A feeling of tingling or "goosebumps" down the arms or legs.	Large laboratories can measure the level of vitamin B 12 and folic acid, but these tests are quite expensive (about 1000 rubles each).
Folic deficiency There are no specific manifestations.
Hemolytic Icteric staining of the mucous membranes of the mouth, skin and sclera; The appearance of skin itching; Darkening of the urine (coloration of the color of dark beer).	Biochemical analysis: An increase in the level of bilirubin more than 17 µmol / l.

Level up

Skin with erythrocytosis

An increase in red blood cells (erythrocytosis) is almost always a sign of illness. In itself, a large number of cells does not affect the well-being of the patient. Often, the only manifestation of this condition is a red tint to the skin (blush on the cheeks) and mucous membranes. All other symptoms that may bother the patient are caused by the underlying disease.

Detection increased rate red blood cells - a reason to start a full examination of the body, in order to identify the causes of this process. First of all, the doctor rules out the following pathologies that affect the level of blood cells:

Typical manifestations of pathology	How does it affect the number of blood cells?
Dehydration The most common causes of this condition are: Multiple vomiting (more than 3-4 times / day); Frequent and profuse liquid stool(more than 7 times / day); A large volume of urine excreted (more than 3-4 l / day) with sugar or diabetes insipidus, glomerulonephritis. Symptoms of dehydration are dry skin and mucous membranes, thirst, rapid weight loss (due to fluid loss) and general weakness.	Dehydration does not affect the number of cells, but because of the loss of water, the blood "thickens". For this reason, clinical examination may show the presence of erythrocytosis.
Chronic lung disease (COPD, severe bronchial asthma, condition after lung removal, occupational diseases, etc.) Each of these states has its own specific features, but some symptoms may occur with each of them. These include dyspnea on exertion/at rest and asthma attacks.	Since the oxygen supply to the body is reduced due to insufficient lung function, the body tries to increase gas exchange at the expense of carrier cells. The more of them, the better blood gases are transferred and tissue respiration occurs faster.
pickwickian syndrome This is a violation of the respiratory center in the brain, which occurs against the background of extreme obesity. The following clinic is very characteristic of him: Sudden repeated falling asleep during the day (occur in the middle of wakefulness); Shortness of breath at rest; arterial hypertension; Spontaneous muscle twitches.
congenital heart defects (non-closure of interatrial or interventricular septum, the presence of a large arteriovenous shunt) These diseases can be found not only in children, but also in older age. Most often, patients are concerned about: "Blue" brushes or feet that occur during exercise; Dyspnea; The appearance of edema (usually on the legs).	An increase in red blood cells is an attempt by the body to improve the delivery of oxygen to the organs. Due to the constant discharge of venous blood into the arterial blood, this process is disrupted, which causes the development of compensatory reactions.
Itsenko-Cushing's disease/syndrome An increase in the hormone hydrocortisol is the cause of the development of almost all the symptoms of this pathology. This condition can occur with a tumor in the brain (hypothalamus) or damage to the adrenal glands. You can suspect the disease by the following signs: A very characteristic type of obesity - the patient's arms and legs remain thin, with an excessive amount of fatty tissue on the body and face; Any weight loss measures are ineffective (except for treating the cause of the disease); Constantly high level"sugar" of the blood; Diseases of the stomach and duodenum (gastritis, peptic ulcer, etc.).	One of the actions of this hormone is to stimulate the work of the bone marrow, which leads to the occurrence of erythrocytosis in the patient.
Oncological diseases blood (erythremia, Wakez disease), tumors of the kidneys, endocrine glands. In most cases, specific symptoms no. The patient may long time bother weakness, slight fever(up to 38 o C), weight loss.	The growth of tumor tissue in the bone marrow leads to a significant (multiple) increase in the number of red blood cells.
genetic disease Usually, additional signs pathologies are absent.	The reason for the increase in the cell pool is a congenital disorder in the bone marrow.

When prescribing steroid hormones for some diseases, red blood cells may also increase. Or in situations where a person experiences a lack of oxygen (high in the mountains).

If a person had bleeding before the test or anemia was treated, then reticulocytosis is a positive sign, it indicates the restoration of red blood cell reserves in the blood. If there are no reasons for the increase in reticulocytes, then you should contact a hematologist, because. this may indicate the presence of a tumor or hereditary disease blood.

If, after a full diagnosis, it is not possible to identify the cause of the increase in the indicator, most likely, this condition is individual feature person. Such cases are extremely rare, so a thorough examination is required before making an appropriate diagnosis (idiopathic erythrocytosis).

Other characteristics of red blood cells

The classical method of studying blood (using a microscope) allows you to determine only the number of red blood cells and their sedimentation rate (ESR). Modern automatic analyzers are additionally capable of assessing the condition of red blood cells and their ability to carry hemoglobin. These characteristics are also very important for assessing the human condition, so they must be taken into account when deciphering the analysis.

As a rule, a form with the result of research (it looks like a regular cash receipt) includes the following indicators:

What does it show?	What is the rate of erythrocytes?
ESR This is a symptom of any inflammatory process which is active in the body. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate accelerates with any infections, autoimmune diseases, injuries and exacerbations of chronic pathologies.	Up to 15 mm/hour
MCV (Mean size of red blood cells). Shows how much less / more red blood cells, in comparison with the norm. Allows you to determine the type of anemia and the cause of its development: With vitamin deficiency there is an increase in size; With iron deficiency- the volume of bodies decreases; With hemolysis - most often the size remains within the normal range.	80-96 microns 3 (or 86-99*10 -15 /l)
MCH (Average amount of hemoglobin). Another indicator that allows you to diagnose the cause of a lack of red blood cells: Decreases with iron deficiency; It increases with a decrease in the amount of vitamin B 12 and folic acid.	27-32 picogram
RDW (How different are red blood cells in size). A non-specific characteristic, an increase in which indicates an increased production of blood cells.	11,5-14,5%
HCT (). This is the ratio of the number of red blood cells and the liquid part of the blood (plasma). Hematocrit allows you to reliably confirm the presence of erythrocytosis or anemia.	For men 0.41-0.52; For women 0.38-0.48.

After evaluating all the listed characteristics, taking into account the number of cells in the blood, we can conclude about the state of the body. Despite the banality of this procedure, it should not be neglected. The presence of most diseases is reflected in these indicators, therefore, a blood test is necessarily included in the minimum standard of examination.

FAQ

Question:
Can red blood cells increase with improper preparation for analysis?

No. According to modern research, fluctuations in erythrocytes are extremely insignificant in a healthy person during the day.

Question:
Is preparation required for testing?

For the greatest accuracy, the procedure should be carried out in the morning, on an empty stomach, having previously excluded smoking, alcohol, sugar and caffeinated drinks. These factors can affect the rate of ESR.

Question:
How dangerous is an increase in the level of blood cells? Could this lead to any complications?

In most cases, elevated red blood cells it is a symptom of another disease. It occurs when the body cannot cope with the pathology in other ways. The appearance of this condition is a reason to evaluate the work of various organs to identify the cause.

Question:
What is the best way to donate blood - from a vein or from a finger?

Content

The red blood cells produced by the bone marrow are called erythrocytes. Their function is to transport oxygen from the lungs throughout the body through the bloodstream. Cells take carbon dioxide from tissues and organs and deliver it to the lungs, they are an important component of the processes of water and salt metabolism. For the normal functioning of the human body, a certain level of red cells is required to be maintained.

What are erythrocytes

These are red cells found in the blood. They represent a doubly curved disk, due to which their surface increases. Erythrocytes do not synthesize their protein, 71% consist of water, 10% falls on a shell covered with a membrane. Cells feed on glucose. erythrocytes in laboratory tests marked with the abbreviation rbc. Among the main indicators: red cell sedimentation rate (ESR). If the concentration of red blood cells exceeds the norm, then we are talking about some kind of failure. The functions of red cells are significant:

Protective. Red blood cells remove toxins, toxic substances and waste products of pathogenic microorganisms from the body.
Transport. This function is basic. Tauruses deliver oxygen, carbon dioxide, lipids, amino acids, proteins and other useful components to various "destinations" in the body.
Nutritious. Red blood cells carry all the substances necessary for life throughout the body.
Red blood cells help maintain acid-base balance, updating the composition of the plasma, are involved in blood clotting.

RBC rate

To understand whether the concentration of red blood cells is increased, it is important to know the normal values. They differ, the numbers depend on the age of the person and gender. Erythrocytes in a blood test should have the following indicators:

In an adult male: from 4 to 5.1 million / μl, from 4 to 5.1 x 10¹² / l.
In a woman: from 3.7 to 4.7 million / μl, or 3.7-4.7 x 10¹² / l.
In a pregnant woman: may decrease to 3-3.5 x 10¹²/l.
In children under one year old, the concentration of red cells often changes, for each month it has its own norm. If red blood cells are increased in a two-week-old baby (up to 6.6 x 10¹² / l), then this does not indicate pathology. In newborns, the norm is (4.0 - 6.6 x 10¹² / l). Slight fluctuations can be observed even after a year of life. In adolescents 12-13 years old, the level of red cells corresponds to the norm of an adult.

Causes of an increase in red blood cells

If the erythrocytes in the blood are elevated, then this signals the presence of a pathology. The increase in the number of red cells is due to the following ailments:

Heart disease (congenital or acquired). Pathology leads to impaired blood supply, oxygen delivery to tissues slows down, increased amount erythrocytes.
Diseases of the respiratory system (asthma, pneumonia, laryngitis, bronchitis). There is not enough saturation of cells with oxygen, because less air enters.
Neoplasms (affected organs: kidneys, adrenal glands, liver). The tumor leads to disruption of the functioning of organs, and the process of decomposition of old red blood cells is also inhibited.
Acute infectious diseases: whooping cough, diphtheria.
Aerz-Arrilaga syndrome. rare disease. It has another name: idiopathic pulmonary hypertension(ILG). Origin unknown. There is an increase in pressure in pulmonary artery and an increase in lung vascular resistance. The disease is accompanied by decompensation of the right ventricle of the heart, which is life-threatening.
Pickwick's syndrome. In pathology, there is respiratory failure resulting in an increase in blood pressure. The disease is accompanied by obesity.
Wakez disease ( true polycythemia(benign oncological disease)). A safe type of blood cancer correct therapy the patient can live for decades. The disease is rare and occurs in the elderly.
Itsenko-Cushing's disease. A neuroendocrine disorder that occurs on the basis of excessive synthesis of corticosteroids (adrenal hormones). A rare ailment that occurs frequently in women.
Smoking. An increase in red blood cells in men often occurs against the background of bad habits.

Causes of false and physiological increase

An increase in red cells does not always indicate pathology. Physiological and false (or relative) erythrocytosis are also distinguished. The latter option occurs as a result of dehydration due to diarrhea, vomiting, burns, sweating. The number of red cells in this case is within the normal range, and in a drop of blood taken for analysis, there will be more of them, since there is a decrease in the plasma content. Physiological erythrocytosis occurs as a result of:

active sports;
stress
living high in the mountains (rarefied air contributes to the production of red cells so that a person does not suffer from a lack of oxygen);
drinking chlorinated or contaminated water;
beriberi (with a lack of vitamins, the body begins to intensively produce red cells);
lack of enzymes responsible for the timely breakdown of food;
long-term use of steroids.

Causes of an increase in red blood cells in a child

The increase in the number of red cells in children is not pathological, but physiological in nature. One of the main reasons is intrauterine fetal hypoxia. There are a number of other factors:

Living in high-altitude regions, with rarefied air, there is an increased production of red cells.
Physical and emotional stress that is difficult for a child to cope with.
Dehydration (caused by sweating and gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea)).

Symptoms of high red blood cells

Erythrocytosis is not an independent disease, it accompanies any ailment. If the number of red cells exceeds the allowable norm, then pathological process will show symptoms:

skin redness, itching;
dizziness, chronic fatigue, weakness, loss of strength, headaches;
hypertension, nosebleeds;
ear ringing, muscle pain;
temperature rise;
swelling of the nasal mucosa, cough;
nausea, diarrhea;
weight loss;
hormonal disbalance(an increased level of red blood cells in the blood in women is often due to this reason).

Negative consequences

Erythrocytosis is dangerous by the formation of blood clots, which lead to blockage of blood vessels. Perhaps the appearance of an embolism (pulmonary or cardiac), the development of a stroke, a heart attack. Bleeding occurs (nose, gums). Negative Consequence is the appearance of itching after taking a shower. Violations are noted in the work of all tissues and organs, erythrocytosis leads to cirrhosis of the liver, leukemia. The blood becomes thick, the processes of blood supply worsen, there are disturbances in the work of the cerebral cortex. The patient has enlarged spleen, liver and kidneys. There is a violation of breathing.

Causes of low red blood cells

With a reduced concentration of red blood cells, erythropenia occurs. This condition is possible with vasculitis (immunopathological inflammation of the vessels). Erythropenia is absolute (erythrocytes are slightly produced by the bone marrow) and relative (the number of cells decreases due to greater fluid intake). The reasons that lead to this condition are as follows:

Treatment of high and low red blood cells

Erythrocytosis requires measures to reduce the concentration of red blood cells. It is necessary to make the blood less viscous, for this medicines are used. If erythrocytosis develops against the background of ailments associated with cardiovascular or respiratory systems, then the underlying disease should be eliminated. Against the background of therapy, it is useful to consume a large amount of fruits and vegetables, vitamins and trace elements are necessary for the formation of red cells, they also help them to have correct form, avoiding the occurrence of spherical, elliptical and sickle-shaped deformations.

Analysis is useful if there are clinical symptoms illness. Only a therapist or hematologist can understand what is happening in the body, a specialist must determine the disease and prescribe treatment. Erythrocytosis occurs against the background of other pathologies, and their determination may require various analyzes and examinations, but an accurate diagnosis and correctly prescribed therapy will help to quickly solve the problem, and the red blood cells in the blood will return to normal. It is important not to forget about preventive measures:

Reduce the amount of carbonated water, if it is consumed in large quantities, an excess of red cells will appear.
Don't drink tap water. Chlorine and harmful compounds increase the number of red cells even after boiling.
Include fresh vegetables and fruits in your menu.
Normalize the work of the digestive tract. In the presence of problems with the assimilation of food, the number of red blood cells increases. Gases and toxic compounds accumulate in the blood, neutralizing oxygen, and in order to balance everything, the bone marrow throws out additional red cells.
Identify the cause of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and start timely treatment.