This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Factors affecting normal red cell values

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Factors that determine 'normal' red cell parameters include:

  • age:
    • in neonates, delay in cutting the umbilical cord elevates red cell levels
    • the haemoglobin level is high at birth
    • the haemoglobin falls before increasing again towards the end of the first year
    • the numbers of red cells then remains reasonably stable at about 11.5 g/dl, attaining normal adult values at about ten years

  • sex:
    • haemoglobin concentration is higher in men than women
    • this may be due to stimulatory effects of androgens on erythropoietin production and a direct effect on erythroid stem cells

  • menopause, childbirth and pregnancy lead to lower erythrocyte counts

  • nutritional status:
    • parameters lower in poorer people
    • associated with protein and iron deficiency

  • residential altitude:
    • high altitude associated with a compensatory increase in erythrocyte count

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.