erythrocyte count

Red Cell Count

The number of red cells per volume of blood, measured in microliters (µL) or cubic millimeters (mm3). At birth, the red cell count is increased, which is followed shortly by a decrease that ‘bottoms out’ at ± 2 months of age, then slowly rises to adult levels; polycythaemia is defined as an increase in red cells of any cause, which may be neoplastic, as in polycythaemia vera, or nonneoplastic—erythrocytosis or secondary polycythaemia—due to various factors—high altitudes, smoking, cyanotic heart defects, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; decreased red cell count—anaemia—can, like polycythaemia, be physiologic—as in marathon runners—or pathologic
Reference range
Males 4.1-5.4 x 1012/L—US: 4.1-5.4 x 106/µL
Females 3.8-5.2 x 1012/L: 3.8-5.2 x 106/µL. RBCs, WBCs, platelets are counted by automated devices

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count [kownt]

a numerical computation or indication.

Addis count the determination of the number of erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelial cells, and casts, and the protein content in an aliquot of a 12-hour urine specimen; used in the diagnosis and management of kidney disease.

blood count (blood cell count) see blood count.

blood count, complete a series of tests of the peripheral blood, including the erythrocyte count, erythrocyte indices, leukocyte counts, and sometimes platelet count.

blood count, differential differential leukocyte count.

erythrocyte count determination of the number of erythrocytes in a unit volume of blood that has been diluted in an isotonic solution, done with an automatic counter such as a flow cytometer. Called also red blood cell or red cell count.

leukocyte count determination of the number of leukocytes in a unit volume of blood, usually after the erythrocytes have been lysed and the blood has been diluted; it may be done either manually with a hemacytometer or electronically. See total leukocyte c. and differential leukocyte c. Called also white blood cell or white cell count.

leukocyte count, differential a leukocyte count that calculates the percentages of different types. See also total leukocyte count.

leukocyte count, total a leukocyte count measuring the total number of all the types in a given volume of blood. See also differential leukocyte count.

platelet count determination of the total number of platelets per cubic millimeter of blood; the direct platelet count simply counts the cells using a microscope, and the indirect platelet count determines the ratio of platelets to erythrocytes on a peripheral blood smear and computes the number of platelets from the erythrocyte count.

red blood cell count (red cell count) erythrocyte count.

reticulocyte count a calculation of the number of reticulocytes in 1 cu mm of peripheral blood, recorded either as an absolute number or as the percentage of the erythrocyte count. It provides a means of assessing the erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow.

white blood cell count (white cell count) leukocyte count.

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erythrocyte (rith´rōsīt),

n a red blood cell; a nonnucleated, circular, biconcave, discoid, hemoglobin-containing, oxygen-carrying formed element circulating in the blood.

erythrocyte count,

n the number of red blood cells per cubic millimeter of blood.

erythrocyte indices,

n.pr the standard values of red blood cell numbers, morphologic characteristics, and behavior in comprehensive hematologic laboratory testing.

erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),

n the rate at which red blood cells settle in a pipette of unclotted blood, measured in millimeters per hour. It is used as an index of inflammation.

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erythrocyte

a red blood cell, or corpuscle; one of the formed elements in the peripheral blood. For immature forms see normoblast, metarubricyte. In most mammals mature erythrocytes are biconcave disks that have no nuclei. The degree of concavity varies between species, as does the size. Birds have nucleated, oval erythrocytes. The cell consists mainly of hemoglobin and a supporting framework, called the stroma. Erythrocyte formation (erythropoiesis) takes place in the red bone marrow in the adult, and in the liver, spleen and bone marrow of the fetus. Erythrocyte formation requires an ample supply of certain dietary elements such as iron, cobalt and copper, amino acids and certain vitamins.

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erythrocyte antigen

see blood group antigen and blood group.

erythrocyte casts

see urinary cast.

erythrocyte count

see blood count.

erythrocyte ghosts

in new methylene blue, erythrocytes fail to take up stain and appear only as a pale outline.

hypochromatic erythrocyte

see hypochromia (2).

erythrocyte indices

calculated values for the mean corpuscular volume (mcv), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (mch), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (mchc), taken from the hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count. Used in determining the likely etiology of anemias and other abnormalities of the erythron. Called also mean cell constants.

matchstick erythrocyte

describes the appearance of sickled deer erythrocytes containing hemoglobin II.

normochromic erythrocyte

see normochromia.

erythrocyte refractile bodies (ERF)

a term usually used to describe Heinz bodies in the erythrocytes of cats. Sometimes restricted in definition to the smaller (Heinz) bodies that are normally found in up to 10% of feline erythrocytes, as distinct from larger bodies associated with hemolytic anemia.

erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

an expression of the extent of settling of erythrocytes in a column of fresh citrated or otherwise treated blood, per unit of time. Of greatest diagnostic value in dogs as horses normally have a greatly accelerated rate and ruminants show none except in very extreme circumstances. In the dog, ESR is elevated with inflammatory processes. See also sedimentation rate.

erythrocyte tonicity

the degree of distention of the erythrocyte. This is dependent on the osmotic pressure of the cell's contents compared with that of the plasma. If it is greater, water will pass into the cell and it may rupture. If it is less, water passes out of the cell which shrinks and becomes crenated.

erythrocyte volume

mean corpuscular volume (mcv); see erythrocyte indices (above).

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erythrocyte count

See Red cell count.

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Patient discussion about erythrocyte count.

Q. what is a normal red blood cell count for breast cancer after operation

A. i know that the normal count is between 4.2 to 5.9 million cells/cmm. if you have anything else- i think this question should be to the Doctor...cause even if someone here will tell you it's ok that it's a bit low- the Doctor should know that and he has your chart with all your medical information. there for i would give him a phone call to ask if it's o.k. - unless you are in the normal average i told you, then you shouldn't worry about it.