what does low red blood cell count mean?

Answer 1

A low RBC count may indicate anemia, bleeding, kidney disease, bone marrow failure (for instance, from radiation or a tumor), malnutrition, or other causes. A low count may also indicate nutritional deficiencies of iron, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6.

Normal decreases in red blood cells are seen during pregnancy as a result of normal body fluid increases that dilute them.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

If your Red Blood Cell count is low the first step is to find out why so that appropriate treatment can be given.
Causes: 1. Vitamin Deficiency
2. Excessive bleeding
3. Cancer & Leukemia
4. Kidney disease
5. Aplastic anemia
6. Myelodysplastic syndrome
7. Hemolytic Anemia - drug induced, autoimmune,
genetic - sickle disease or other
hemoglobinopathies
8. Probably more (i'm writing this off the top of my
head and not copying from some web site or
source)

Red Blood Cells are produced in the bone marrow and contain hemoglobin inside of them. The hemoglobin carries oxygen. The hemoglobin is made with Iron molecules. If you are low on iron, then you first make the same number of red blood cells but they will be very little and contain not enough iron. Eventually, the bone marrow makes fewer red blood cells because there isn't enough iron to make them with. This is called microcytic hypchromic anemia. It is treated with iron supplements. In very severe cases a blood transfusion may be given - but should be avoided as much as possible - there are a lot of nasty side effects of blood transfusions so try to avoid unless you absolutely have to.

Another kind of anemia is because of a deficiency of B12 or Folate. The treatment for them is by supplementation also.

Excessive bleeding - identify and treat the source of bleeding

For kidney disease - EPO treatment

For Cancer & leukemia - chemo & transfusions

For Autoimmune anemia - immunosuppressive drugs - try to avoid transfusions

For aplastic anemia & myelodysplastic syndrome - transfusions

For hemoglobinopathies - sometimes exchange transfusion

This isn't a complete list - but hopefully will explain a little bit.

DONATE BLOOD WHEN YOU CAN AND ONLY GET TRANSFUSIONS WHEN YOU REALLY REALLY NEED THEM.

Answer 4

A low red blood cell count can occur from many sources. It is the first indication of anemia. It can also occur when a bacterial infection causes antigens to kill off healthy blood cells. On a more extreme scale, it can suggest leukemia.
If a healthy diet does not correct the problem, or if there are an excessive number of white blood cells, then certainly a physician should be attending the person.

Answer 5

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what does low red blood cell count mean?

Answer 6

Is 3.0 red blood cell count too low

Answer 7

Rbc Count Low

Answer 8

Low Rbc Count

Answer 9

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it means that the red blood cells levels are low in comparison of how they should be.

Answer 10

the simpliest way to explain it is your red blood cells r the ones that carry oxygen through out your body if u dont have enough you cant function properly your tired all the time, if its too low u may have to have a transfusion to bring your count back up...its happened to me take iron pills or eat food that is high in iron. or just follow ur drs orders.