RBC count

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X

Blood test

Formed elements of blood

High blood pressure tests

Erythrocyte count; Red blood cell count

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• Multiple punctures to locate veins

• The RBC count may be decreased during pregnancy because of an increase in body fluids.
• The RBC will increase over a period of several weeks after moving to a higher altitude.
• Dehydration increases the RBC count.
• Drugs that can increase the RBC count include gentamicin and methyldopa. Drugs that can decrease the RBC count include chloramphenicol, hydantoins, and quinidine.
• Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Review Date: 02/03/2005
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.