RBC Reference Ranges and Client Outcomes

Accurate RBC Reference Ranges Equal Excellent Client Outcomes

Having accurate RBC reference ranges is vital to accurately assess your client’s likelihood of anemia. The proper analysis of these seven markers plays an enormous role in determining the possible root cause of your client’s current state of health, especially when symptoms of fatigue are present.

Interpretation of these markers helps us understand our clients’ ability to optimally deliver oxygen to every cell, tissue, and organ. Our clients lack the ability to create energy at the most basic level if red blood cells function is askew.

Let’s do a quick review of the seven RBC-related markers

1. Red Blood Cells (RBC): The total number of red blood cells, or erythrocytes, present in a liter of blood. Red blood cells are created in the bone marrow. Measured by number/Liter.
2. Hemoglobin (HGB): The iron-containing protein found in all red blood cells that give the cells their red color. Measured in grams/deciliter. There are considerable physiological variations in the levels of hemoglobin in healthy people.
3. Hematocrit (HCT): The ratio of the volume of red blood cells proportional to whole blood. This measurement reflects the number of RBCs and their volume.
4. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV): The volume or size of an average red blood cell. “Corpuscular” simply means a small particle or living cell and refers to a red blood cell.
5. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH): The average mass of hemoglobin in a red blood cell.
6. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC): The average amount of hemoglobin in 100 mL of packed red blood cells.
7. Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW): The measured variability in the volume and size of red blood cells, otherwise known as anisocytosis.

We explored the research and found the most accurate RBC reference range information for our software.

• We use data from one of the largest studies ever done to define healthy reference ranges for the seven red blood cell-related markers on the CBC.
• The results of this study give statistical backing to healthy ranges based on a nationally represented population-based sample for males and females at various age groups.
• We use these as our lab reference ranges at two standard deviations from the mean and define our optimal ranges at one standard deviation from the mean.
• LabSmarts adjusts RBC-related ranges based on your client’s gender, age, elevation, and pregnancy trimester. We’re the only software available that accounts for these evidence-based influences. We’re confident our RBC reference ranges will help you better identify an imbalance in your clients’ blood oxygen delivery process.

Fulgoni VL, Agarwal S, Kellogg MD, Lieberman HR. Establishing Pediatric and Adult RBC Reference Intervals With NHANES Data Using Piecewise Regression. Am J Clin Pathol. 2019;151(2):128-142. PubMed

– by Victoria LaFont, MS