Red blood cells (EPK)

Understanding the marker

The red blood cell count measures how many red cells are present in the blood. It is read with haemoglobin, which carries oxygen, and haematocrit, the proportion of blood occupied by red cells.

The count adds detail to the blood count but does not show why the number has changed. Haemoglobin, cell size and sometimes the number of newly made red cells help assess the pattern.

What does high Red blood cells (EPK) mean?

A high red-cell count can reflect a change in red-cell numbers or in the amount of fluid in the blood. Haemoglobin, haematocrit, previous results and symptoms help distinguish these possibilities.

What does low Red blood cells (EPK) mean?

A low red-cell count means fewer red cells were measured per volume of blood. Haemoglobin and the other blood-count results are needed to assess anaemia and investigate a cause.