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RBC count

• Overview
• Risks
• Results

Alternative Names:

Erythrocyte count; Red blood cell count

What the risks are:

• 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

Special considerations:

Pregnancy can cause a decrease in RBCs.

Your RBC count will increase for several weeks when you move to a higher altitude. Dehydration also increases the RBC count.

Drugs can increase the RBC count include:

• Gentamicin
• Methyldopa

Drugs that can decrease the RBC count include:

• Chloramphenicol
• Hydantoins
• Quinidine

References:

McPherson RA and Pincus MR. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:461-2.

Hoffman R, Benz Jr. EJ, Shattil SJ, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston; 2005:2733.

• Review Date: 3/8/2007
• Reviewed By: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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