Question 1

what is red blood cell disorder; some examples?

Accepted Answer

Many: 1/3 the field of hematology is devoted to RBC disorders ( the other 2/3 is platelets and wbc's).  The most common disorder is anemia which may be caused by a large  variety of conditions. One could have the opposite disorder of too many red blood cells and this is known as erythrocytosis. One could have red cells that are filled with unusual hemoglobin such as the thalassemias.

Question 2

what does abnormal red blood cell mean?

Accepted Answer

Depends: This depends on what is being called abnormal. There are many possibilities, ranging from red cell count, red cell size, or red cell morphology. And on occasion, some may use this terminology to refer to an abnormal hemoglobin.

Question 3

what does abnormal red blood cell morphology mean?

Accepted Answer

Shape or size is off: Morphology refers to what the red cells look like under the microscope.  Changes in size or shape of red cells can give a clue about underlying disease.  For example, in iron deficiency, RBCs are small and pale.  B12 deficiency they are large in size.  Different changes can show liver disease, kidney disease or a bleeding disorder.  Changes are most useful in diagnosing anemia (low RBC count).

Question 4

why is it that a red blood cell is shaped like a disk?

Accepted Answer

For function: The purpose of the RBC is to  transport oxygen via the hemoglobin/Fe molecule.  In order to optimize the amount of hemoglobin present the cell is devoid of a nucleus and cytoplasmic components.  This allows the maximum number of oxygen molecules to be present in each RBC.  The cell has the other job of being able to circulate via the microvessels to deliver the O2. Its disc shape provides entry.

Question 5

is there a natural way to lower red blood cell production?

Accepted Answer

No: Physicians can take blood out by phlebotomy or they use a drug called hydrea (hydroxyurea).

Question 6

what does this mean? "red blood cell distribut width" 14.4 %  (11.6 - 14.0)

Accepted Answer

Not much: This test is of limited value. All you need to know is that your hemoglobin(hb) is normal...That is all you need to worry about the red blood cells. If the hb is low, then you need to have your doctor find the cause and treat it.

Question 7

what happens if the range for the red blood cell is 3.80-5.10 and mine is 5.11?

Accepted Answer

Stop worrying: Reference ranges are set so that a few percent of healthies fall outside on either end. If your hemoglobin is low-ish and your red cells quite small, you may have thal minor, which is important to know if your spouse also has it. Best wishes.

Question 8

what vitamins are necessary for red blood cell production?

Accepted Answer

Rbc production: Vitamins B6, B9, B12 &amp; A as well as Iron &amp; copper are important for red blood cells.

Question 9

how does oxygen enter a red blood cell?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion: Oxygen enters red blood cells by passive diffusion through the cell membrane. Once inside, it binds to hemoglobin molecules.

Question 10

can you have a mature red blood cell that doesn't contain iron inside of it?

Accepted Answer

No: A mature  red blood cell contains hemoglobin. And the hemoglobin molecule requires iron as a component. The iron is part of the "heme" subunit of the molecule, where it is bound within a structure called a "porphyrin ring". Hope that helps.

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Medicine for red blood cell disorder

A member asked:

What is red blood cell disorder; some examples?

A member asked:

What does abnormal red blood cell mean?

A member asked:

What does abnormal red blood cell morphology mean?

A member asked:

Why is it that a red blood cell is shaped like a disk?

A member asked:

Is there a natural way to lower red blood cell production?

A member asked:

What does this mean? "red blood cell distribut width" 14.4 % (11.6 - 14.0)

A member asked:

What happens if the range for the red blood cell is 3.80-5.10 and mine is 5.11?

A member asked:

What vitamins are necessary for red blood cell production?

A member asked:

How does oxygen enter a red blood cell?

A member asked:

Can you have a mature red blood cell that doesn't contain iron inside of it?

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