PCV is another component of a complete blood count, which indicates the RBC component of the blood in percentage. The bottom part showing RBCs forms the hematocrit. Picture 3: An image showing the Hematocrit assessment. It is seen that the count decreases in anemia and increases in polycythemia. RBC count is generally measured as number of cells per micro litre of blood. Conversely, when it increases above the normal range, polycythemia ensues.Īnemia can be explained by decrease in hemoglobin levels, haematocrit values or RBC count ( 15). When the hemoglobin content reduces in the blood, the condition is called as Anemia. The normal levels of Hb in Male are about 13.8- 18.0 g/dL and in Female are about 12.1- 15.1 g/dL ( 14). It becomes bright red when oxygenated and dark red when deoxygenated ( 13). At the same time, the red colour of blood is due to Hb. Structurally it is made up of iron and a protein (globin). Hemoglobin content of RBC is what decides the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. RBC count, Hematocrit/ Packed cell volume (PCV), Hemoglobin (Hb), Mean corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), RDW, Reticulocyte count. When a complete blood count is advised, the following tests related to RBCs are done. Table 1: General features of a mature RBC.
Volume when swollen up with non-distended membraneĪpproximately 270 million molecule/RBC ( 6) Time taken for one complete circulation in the body This process helps in giving more space for accommodation of haemoglobin. In the early stages of its development (erythropoiesis), RBC has nucleus which the cell loses as it matures. On a cross section, they appear more like a dumbbell because of its central depression on both the surfaces. To facilitate this function, RBC has a biconcave (both the surfaces are concave) oval disc shape, that allows it to bend, twist or change shape while passing through narrow passages. This is because they carry out one of the major functions of the blood, oxygen and carbon dioxide transportation. They are the most abundant cells in the blood. Image Source: Erythrocyte (Red Blood Cell/ RBC) Picture 1: An image showing content of blood. In addition there are about 4,000- 11,000 WBCs and 200,000- 500,000 platelets per microliter of blood ( 5). There are about 4.7- 6.1 million RBCs per microliter of blood in males and about 4.2 – 5.4 million RBCs per microliter of blood in females ( 4). The cellular portion of the blood includes Erythrocytes (Red blood cells/RBC), Leucocytes (White blood cells/WBC) and Thrombocytes (Platelets). Plasma is approximately 92% water and rest includes suspended particles such as proteins, minerals, electrolytes, hormones etc ( 3). Remaining 45% is made up by the blood cells. The liquid part of blood is known as plasma which constitutes about 55% of the blood volume ( 2). To understand the composition of blood, it is easier to consider it as a liquid portion and the cellular portion. The volume of blood in a person varies in different age group and between male and female genders. On an average, an adult has approximately 5 litres of blood that circulates within the blood vessels of the body ( 1). It has various components which helps it to complete these functions effectively. Lot of other functions are also carried out in the body by our blood. The main functions of blood include carrying nutrition to the tissues, removing the toxic and unwanted materials from tissues and transport of oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the tissues. In order to grasp the complete sense of indices such as MCV, MCH, MCHC etc, it is of utmost importance to have a general idea about blood and its components.īlood, as everyone knows, is the fluid that circulates throughout the body due to the pumping action of heart. In this article, we are trying to simplify those red blood cell indices for an easier understanding and knowledge. Though it is difficult for a non-medical person to understand their implications, most are able to compare the results with the normal values.Ĭertain indices of red blood cells had always been a part of the report which many people do not understand at all.
Most of us have seen blood check reports which show various values indicating changes in many health conditions. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC).Causes of Microcytic Hypochromic anemia.Causes of increased or decreased hematocrit.
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