Category Archives: Red cells

Anaemia is a condition when the haemoglobin concentration is lower than expected ie. below the reference range for a population of similar age and sex. As explained in the previous module, the normal haemoglobin concentration varies according to age groups and gender. Anaemia is often asymptomatic, Chronic anaemia however poses a significant threat to satisfactoryContinue reading “Anaemia: General Aspects”

Full blood count (FBC) The full blood count (FBC) is a commonly ordered test and is is often considered a routine request for all in-patient admissions. Among outpatients it is likely the most commonly ordered test. The FBC includes information on; Haemoglobin (HB) Red cell parameters (RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW) Total white blood cellContinue reading “Red Cells: Counts and Interpretation”

Considering that the primary function of red cells is the carriage and delivery of oxygen, it is not surprising that the regulation of red cell production is tightly controlled by cellular oxygen sensing. The cellular response to hypoxia was described through the Nobel prize winning works of Kaelin, Ratcliffe and Semenza. Erythropoietin (EPO) is aContinue reading “Red Cells: Regulation and Control”