Below the range
Common causes of a low Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
- Anemia of any cause
- Acute or chronic blood loss
- Hemolysis
- Bone marrow failure
Looking for the other direction? See what causes a high Red Blood Cell Count (RBC).
All tests · Complete Blood Count (CBC) · Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
Below the range
What causes a low Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)?
Normal range 4.2-5.9 10⁶/µL (4.2-5.9 10¹²/L SI). Specimen: Whole blood (EDTA). See the full Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) reference page for the taught thresholds and nursing considerations.
What is the normal range for Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)?
The standard teaching reference range for Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) is 4.2-5.9 10⁶/µL in conventional units, or 4.2-5.9 10¹²/L in SI units. This value is measured in whole blood (edta).
| Specimen | Whole blood (EDTA) |
|---|---|
| Conventional range | 4.2-5.9 10⁶/µL |
| SI range | 4.2-5.9 10¹²/L |
| Panel | Complete Blood Count (CBC) |
Full details, including nursing considerations, on the Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) normal range page. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, method, age, sex, and population - always use the range printed on the actual result.
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