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RBC Count

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RBC Count

Number of red blood cells per a unit volume (x million / cu.mm.)

( x 106 / cu.mm.)(x 106 / mm3.)(x 106 / uL.)(x 1012 / L.)

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Requirement1. Blood collection and diluting system 2. Rubber pipe3. Plastic syringe4. Pipette vibrator5. Hemacytometer & cover slip (Counting chamber)6. Microscope7. Counter (hand tally)8. Report form

RBC Count (cont.)

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Specimens1. Fresh blood2. Anticoagulated blood

EDTADouble OxalateCitrateHeparinEtc.

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• Procedure• A finger is lanced and small

amount of blood is allowed to accumulate

• Blood is drawn into the pipette

• Fill blood into red pipette at 0.5 mark.

• Fill reagent add up into the pipette to 101 mark.

• Shake the pipette on the vibrator for 1 min.

Procedure• Discarded the first 3-4 drops.• Fill in the hemacytometer

nicely.• Allow RBC to set down for 2-3

min.• Count 5 red squares under

microscope • Calculate the RBC

concentration.6

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Counting1. Count in 5 red cell squares in the middle (In 4 squares at corners and another 1 in the middle). 2. Top-left touching count3. Using counter hand tally or hand tally

RBC Count (cont.)

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RBC Count (cont.)

R R

R R

W W

W W

1 mm.

3 mm.

0.2 mm.

0.2 mm.

R

High 0.1 mm.

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RBC Count (cont.)Top

Left

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RBC Count (cont.)

Calculation

Red cell count = number of cells counted (N)

x volume factor (=50)

x dilution factor (=200)

= N x 10,000

Normal range = 3.8 - 6.0 x 106 / cu.mm.

Decrease in RBC

• Burns• Pregnancy• Anemia• Iron deficiency• Vit B12• Bone marrow damage

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Increased RBC

• Dehydration• Heart disease• Renal problems

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