Question 1

what does it mean when you have abnormally small red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

Low iron thalassemia: Small red blood cells, as determined by the MCV is most common in either iron deficiency or thalassemia. Rarer causes include sideroblastic anemia, lead toxicity, chronic inflammatory anemia, or renal/hepatic malignancies.

Question 2

i just had a bunch of blood work and he said my red blood cells are small but he didnt really explain what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Nothing by itself: Ask your physician to explain at your next opportunity. Are you iron deficient? Do you have thalassemia minor?

Question 3

i had a blood work up recently and found that i am very anemic and that i have both small and large red blood cells, what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Poor nutrition: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Having said that, it appears that you may be deficient in iron, folic acid and/or B12. It would be prudent to consult your doctor for the proper treatment. In the meantime you could start taking oral iron supplements and multivitamin with B12.

Question 4

hello! i've recently had a blood test done and got told while i'm not anemic i have too many red blood cells and their small. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Thal minor, I bet: This is quite common and is usually caused by beta-thalassemia minor. Any competent general physician can do the workup to confirm it. If you do have thal minor, and you marry someone else who has it, the double-dose can cause you to have a child with thal major, which is horrible. Otherwise, it's a total non-problem. Best wshes.

Question 5

what does high red blood cells mean?

Accepted Answer

A lot: Could mean dehydration, sometimes can signify a myeloproliferative disorder.  Also if the hemoglobin is low and the rbcs are high, could mean there is a blood disorder called thalassemia.  Either way, it should be evaluated.  Hope this helps.

Question 6

what do broken red blood cells mean?

Accepted Answer

Brken RBC- Hemolysis: Hemolysis is a breakdown of red blood cells early than normal (usually happens to all red cells after 100 days). Causes can be from immune system, mechanical (i.e. Mechanical heart valve), or certain infections. Treatment is both replaceing key nutreints needed for red cells (i.e. Folic acid) and treating the underlying cause of red cell destruction.

Question 7

what does elevated red blood cells mean?

Accepted Answer

Hemochromatosis: It really depends upon how elevated the red blood cell (rbc) count is, and what the other elements of the CBC (complete blood count) show.  If rbc is slightly elevated and the hbg (hemoglobin) and hct (hematocrit) are within the normal range then it probably does not mean anything.

There is a genetic disorder known as hemochromatosis in which rbcs are elevated, but HGB level will also be elevated.

Question 8

my gp told me i had small red blood cells and has prescribed iron tablets. also referred me to have a colonoscopy. what will that procedure  diagnose?

Accepted Answer

Ask why: Small red cells usually means either iron deficiency or thalassemia minor. A diagnosis of iron deficiency should be confirmed with a few additional lab tests. Iron won't help thal minor and will tend to make you sick. Colonoscopy is a search for a bleeding cancer that might be the cause of your iron deficiency. Best wishes.

Question 9

what does low hemoglobin,high red blood cells, low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, low mean cell vol. & high red cell distrib. width mean?

Accepted Answer

Need numbers: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Having said that, it might have helped had you provided the actual results rather your interpretation of high and low.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 10

small red blood cells high crp swollen glands in neck and one arm pit weight loss feeling unwell sometimes fever tired all the time?

Accepted Answer

Systemic disease: This cannot be diagnosed over the internet. It sounds as if you are in the process of having an extensive evaluation and would continue with this.  It requires a stepwise analysis of each and every finding to finally arrive at a specific explanation for the problems.  This could be a primary blood disorder or an infection or both.  Good luck and best wishes.

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Doctor answers about:

What does small red blood cells mean

A member asked:

What does it mean when you have abnormally small red blood cells?

A member asked:

I just had a bunch of blood work and he said my red blood cells are small but he didnt really explain what does this mean?

A member asked:

I had a blood work up recently and found that i am very anemic and that i have both small and large red blood cells, what does this mean?

A member asked:

Hello! i've recently had a blood test done and got told while i'm not anemic i have too many red blood cells and their small. what does this mean?

A member asked:

What does high red blood cells mean?

A member asked:

What do broken red blood cells mean?

A member asked:

What does elevated red blood cells mean?

A member asked:

My gp told me i had small red blood cells and has prescribed iron tablets. also referred me to have a colonoscopy. what will that procedure diagnose?

A member asked:

What does low hemoglobin,high red blood cells, low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, low mean cell vol. & high red cell distrib. width mean?

A member asked:

Small red blood cells high crp swollen glands in neck and one arm pit weight loss feeling unwell sometimes fever tired all the time?

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