A low red blood cell count can cause immense harm to the body by weakening its defenses and increasing its vulnerability to infection. Red blood cells (RBC), also known as erythrocytes or red blood corpuscles are responsible for carrying oxygen to all body tissues. They travel in the blood flow through the circulatory system. Erythropoietin (a hormone) is responsible for regulating the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin; oxygen carriers, which is also a pigment that gives the red color to these blood cells, hence the name. They are found abundantly in the blood, almost making up approximately 45 percent of the blood. They are biconcaved, round and flat in shape, which they can change as they squeeze through the capillaries, they lack cell nucleus and most organelles. As they carry the all important oxygen, which is essential for the smooth working of the body, a low red blood cell count is considered as unhealthy and a cause of worry.

Red Blood Cell Count
Maintaining a normal red blood cell count is essential; a normal red blood cell count for adults males is 4.5 - 6.0 M/ul, and for adult females, it is 4.2 - 5.4 M/ul, this number however, may vary depending upon the age of the individual getting tested and the testing laboratory's recommendations.

Low Red Blood Cell Count Causes
There are many causes of low red blood cell count, some of them have been listed below.

Anemia: In this condition the overall blood count has less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood, decreasing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Anemia includes most forms; sickle cell anemia, aplastic anemia, poor nutrition, heavy menstrual bleeding, etc.

Immune System Disorders: Most autoimmune diseases, cause the immune system to attack the body's own blood cells and tissues by mistake. Autoimmune diseases that affect blood and blood vessels become causes of a low red blood cell count, they include autoimmune hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, pernicious anemia, etc.

Spleen Problems: The spleen is part of the lymphatic system. Its smooth functioning is required for fighting infection and keeping the body fluids in balance. The spleen's tissue, reticuloendothelial tissue, monitors red blood cells, eliminating abnormal, damaged and/or old ones that hamper functions. Any spleen problems or disorders may hamper the work of this tissue leading to a low red blood cell count.

Leukemia: Leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells, that affects the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue present inside most bones, and a place where blood cells are made. It basically affects the white blood cells first, causing them to abnormally multiply, eventually crowding other blood cells including the red blood cells.

Hodgkin's Disease: Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system. It occurs in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and bone marrow. As the lymph nodes, spleen and the bone marrow are essential to maintain a normal red blood cell count, any disorder in them can result in a low count. Read more on lymphoma.

For more information, you can also refer to:

• Blood Disorders
• Low White Blood Cell Count

When one is experiencing a low red blood cell count, it is common to feel fatigued, weak, lightheaded, head aches, pale eyes and skin, shortness of breath, etc. A low red blood cell count means a lower resistance to infection. A test to determine how low is the count and subsequently to determine its cause, is generally recommended by the physician.
Loveleena Rajeev
Published: 12/10/2009