Test shows the red blood cell count in the blood, which is linked, for example, to physical endurance, muscle condition, and heart function as red blood cells vitally contribute to the supply of oxygen to all tissues.
Red blood cell count affects the body’s ability to carry oxygen to the tissues. Red blood cells carry oxygen that is bound to hemoglobin.
Reference values for adults for the number of red blood cells are:
Men 4,3–5,7 × E12/l Women 3,9–5,2 × E12/l
Number indicates how many red blood cells there are in a litre of blood. For example, if the value is 5.0 × E12/l, the red blood cell count is 5.0 × 1012, or 5,000,000,000,000 (5 trillion) per litre of blood and 5 billion per millilitre of blood.
What is the cause of a high red blood cell count?
Examples of reasons for a high number of red blood cells in the blood:
heavy smoking
congenital heart disease
dehydration
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
polycythaemia vera (a disease of the bone marrow that causes overproduction of red blood cells)
use of anabolic steroids
high altitude
Erythrocytosis
Condition of excessive concentration of red blood cells in the blood is called erythrocytosis.
Secondary erythrocytosis
Erythrocytosis due to disease or external causes is called secondary erythrocytosis. Erythrocytosis may be a reasonable reaction of the body to a changed situation as it improves the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.
However, if the number of red blood cells becomes too high, the blood becomes too thick and some of it may need to be removed.
What is the cause of a low red blood cell count?
A low number of red blood cells is a sign of anemia. Anemia, also known as a deficiency of red blood cells, usually leads to fatigue, decreased physical performance, feelings of dizziness, and shortness of breath. The exact cause of anemia should always be determined through further examinations.
The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency, typically resulting from prolonged blood loss due to heavy menstruation or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Other possible causes of anemia is kidney disease, deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid, or accelerated breakdown of red blood cells.
You can choose a ready-made test package, include additional tests or plan your own set of tests. All the tests can be ordered without a doctor’s referral.
Visit a location
Sample-taking is available at Mehiläinen laboratories in over 75 locations and self-measurement points in 24 shopping centers across Finland. The test itself takes only a few minutes.
See the results in My Journal
You can view your results quickly and easily on the Oma Puhti report. You will get an easy-to-read report of your results.
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