A low red blood cell count can indicate health problems such as anemia, blood loss, or malnutrition. Symptoms may include pale skin, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Increasing iron intake and eating a balanced diet can help resolve the issue. Regular blood cell count tests may be necessary.
A low red blood cell count can be indicative of certain health problems, including anemia, blood loss, or malnutrition. People who have low red blood cells may also be deficient in some nutrients, particularly iron. A low count may be normal for some people, including pregnant women or young women who have just started menstruating. Leukemia and most other types of cancer could also be a cause, but a person who has cancer will normally also have other symptoms depending on how far the disease has progressed. Red blood cell (RBC) test results that are only slightly below the normal level are quite common and usually not of concern to most medical professionals.
Most people typically have no idea their red blood cell count is low until a complete blood count (CBC) is done. Often there are no obvious symptoms. If you experience symptoms, they could include pale skin, fatigue, and a reduced energy level. Some people also notice that they seem to be short of breath a lot during the day. A person experiencing these symptoms may want to visit their doctor to get a CBC test to determine their blood cell count levels.
When doctors determine that their patients have abnormally low red blood cell counts, they usually try to figure out the cause. A patient can be asked about her symptoms and how she feels every day as part of the diagnosis process. If a patient has no symptoms that could indicate serious health problems, medical professionals often make a diagnosis of anemia because it is the most common cause of this test result. Anemia is not always serious and can usually be resolved quite easily.
A low red blood cell count, particularly if the count is low due to anemia, can normally be resolved by increasing the amount of iron a person consumes. Healthcare professionals may also advise their anemic patients to eat a healthy, balanced diet that contains necessary vitamins and minerals. Over time, the count may start to climb if these actions are performed regularly. An anemic person will likely need to visit a healthcare provider frequently for blood cell count tests until it has been determined that their levels are back in the normal range.
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