An important indicator in deciphering the result of a blood test is the value. It is these cells that are numerous in the biological material. The presence of hemoglobin in them causes the red color of the blood. Erythrocytes are of great importance in the body. Therefore, their increase or decrease can be a sign of various disorders in the body.
Blood cells may decrease due to impaired cell production in the bone marrow. Erythropenia occurs due to heavy blood loss as a result of latent internal or external bleeding, surgical interventions, and injuries.
Other reasons why red blood cells decrease are the following pathological conditions:
- Insufficient content in the body.
- Hypochromia.
- Leukemia.
- Hyperchromia.
- Microspherocytosis.
- Ovalocytosis.
- tumor processes.
- Deficiency.
- Diphtheria.
- Whooping cough.
- Marchiafava-Micheli Syndrome.
- Lack of vitamin B12.
Most often, an excess of fluid in the body, the so-called hyperhydration, affects the decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood. In addition, poisoning with animal poisons, as well as salts of heavy metals, leads to a low content of red cells.
Red blood cells can decrease in vegetarians, in children during active development and growth, in pregnant women. It is in these patients that iron enters the body either in a smaller amount, or the need for its use increases. Also, such a phenomenon as low red blood cells in the blood can be with impaired iron absorption.
Hemolysis is another common cause of a decrease in the level of red blood cells in the blood.
In this case, there is an active destruction of blood cells. This condition is promoted by hereditary diseases in which the membrane structure of red blood cells is disturbed.In rare cases, a low red blood cell count occurs due to hereditary fermentopathy.
Why do red blood cells rise in the blood
Usually, a high level of red cells occurs with a lack of fluid in the body, physical exertion, and strong psycho-emotional overstrain. This phenomenon is common in people who live in highlands, or work in such conditions. The physiological increase in the content of red blood cells is observed most often in athletes.
An increased content of red blood cells may also indicate the following pathological conditions:
- Hydronephrosis.
- Tumors in the kidneys or liver.
- Heart disease.
- Erythremia.
- Peritonitis.
- True polycythemia.
- Polycystic.
- Tuberculosis.
- Pneumonia.
- Burns.
- Bronchitis.
- Polycythemia.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Emphysema.
- Stenosis of the renal arteries.
- Syndrome Itsenko-Cushing.
- Wakez disease.
In addition, red blood cells increase as a result of dehydration of the body due to diarrhea or vomiting. Often this phenomenon occurs with the use of corticosteroids and other hormonal steroid drugs.
It should be noted that the increase in the number of cells can be relative or absolute. A relative increase is considered a phenomenon when the ratio of red cells to plasma is increased, and the content of formed components remains the same. With absolute, the total number of erythrocytes increases as a result of their increased production by the bone marrow.
Useful video - The structure and functions of red blood cells:
The relative increase may be redistributive or hypovolemic. In the first case, the main causes are acute hypoxia, severe stress, increased adrenal production. The hypovolemic increase is affected by insufficient fluid content in the body, which can be as a result of a person’s violation of the drinking regime, fluid loss due to diarrhea, increased sweating, and vomiting.
With a high level of red blood cells, the following symptoms are observed:
- frequent headache
- general weakness
- bleeding gums
- fatigue
- reduced performance
- blueness and pallor of the skin
- decline
If these symptoms occur, it is necessary to take a blood test and consult a specialist.dangerous because red blood cells can stick together, after which the blood supply worsens, and this condition can lead to thrombosis.
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