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RBC count - Risks

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

Blood test

Formed elements of blood

High blood pressure tests

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

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.

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