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On average, there are about 5 liters of blood in the adult human body. Blood has an important role as a transport system for nutrients and other important substances in the body. One of the important blood components is red blood cells, erythrocytes.
Erythrocytes are one of the four other components of blood. Check out the full review of red blood cells in the following article.
Functions of red blood cells for the human body
As described in the National Cancer Institute, red blood cells (erythrocytes) are one of the blood components that function to circulate oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.
In red blood cells, there is a protein called hemoglobin (Hb). Hemoglobin is what binds oxygen and gives blood its red color. Red blood cells are round and cheek, with a hollow in the middle, like a donut without a hole in the middle. Their cell walls are elastic to allow them to conform and flow more easily through narrow blood vessels.
However, our bodies are capable of creating about 2 million red blood cells every second. Red blood cells generally live for about 120 days (3 months) until they die and are cleared from the circulation through the process of phagocytosis of cells in the spleen and liver.
Normal erythrocyte levels in the body
To check or count the number of normal red blood cells, it is usually done in conjunction with a complete blood count, aka a complete blood count (CBC).
In this test, other blood components will also be counted, such as the types of white blood cells, platelets (platelets or platelets), and blood plasma.
In relation to blood cells, there are several components that are also counted in a complete blood count.
Referring to the publications published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, several components of red blood cells were also examined during a complete hematological examination, including:
- The number of red blood cells (erythrocytes)
- Hemoglobin
- MCH: the average amount of hemoglobin in the blood
The results of a complete blood count can later help doctors make a diagnosis, such as anemia, leukemia, dehydration, or malnutrition.
Men and women have different normal levels of erythrocytes, as well as children. Broadly speaking, the following are normal levels of red blood cells in adults:
- Men: 4.7-6.1 million per microliter of blood
- Women: 4.2 - 5.4 million per microliter of blood
- Children: 4-5,5 million per microliter of blood
Differences in age and sex in children can also affect the normal number of erythrocytes. In addition, some laboratories may have different reference values for the examination of red blood cells.
Meanwhile, normal levels of hemoglobin in human blood cells are:
Male: 13.5-17.5 g/dL
Female: 12-15.5 g/dL
Health conditions that affect the normal number of erythrocytes
Abnormal blood cell results usually indicate an underlying health condition. For example, your test results may show low erythrocyte levels. This means you may have anemia.
However, keep in mind that anemia is not a disease, but a symptom of another underlying disease.
Some health conditions that can cause low red blood cells and anemia include:
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia
- Folic acid deficiency
- Bleeding
- Thalassemia, a genetic disorder that causes low red blood cells and hemoglobin
- Hypothyroid
- Cancer that attacks the spine, such as leukemia
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Meanwhile, if the results of the examination show that your erythrocyte levels are higher than normal, some conditions you may experience include:
- Polycythemia vera
- Dehydration
- Live in the highlands
- Excessive vomiting (thus leading to dehydration)
- Excessive activity or exercise
- Heavy smoker
- lung disease
- Experimenting burns
To overcome the problem of abnormal red blood cell levels, doctors will usually do based on the cause. If your anemia is due to a lack of iron or certain vitamins, your doctor will recommend blood-boosting foods or the intake of certain vitamin supplements.
The results of the examination are also one way for doctors to determine the most appropriate type of treatment.
Some of the symptoms you may feel when your red blood cell count is abnormal, including dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, and pale skin. If this condition continues to occur, immediately consult a doctor.
Your doctor may ask you to do a complete hematology exam to find the cause.