Red blood cell (RBC) indices are part of the complete blood count (CBC) test. They are used to help diagnose the cause of anemia, a condition in which there are too few red blood cells.
The indices include:
See also: RBC count
Alternative NamesErythrocyte indices; Blood indices; Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH); Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC); Mean corpuscular volume (MCV); Red blood cell indices
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
The values for MCHC, and MCH are calculated from the hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit(Hct), and RBC count:
The MCV is measured directly by a machine.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is necessary.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedRBCs transport hemoglobin which, in turn, transports oxygen. The amount of oxygen tissues receive depends on the amount and function of RBCs and hemoglobin.
The MCV reflects the size of red blood cells. The MCH and MCHC reflect the hemoglobin content of red blood cells. These RBC measures are used to diagnose types of anemia.
Anemias are defined based on cell size (MCV) and amount of Hgb (MCH).
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanThis test is used to diagnose the cause of anemia. The following are the types of anemia and their causes:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Zuckerman K. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 162.
Red blood cell (RBC) indices are part of the complete blood count (CBC) test. They are used to help diagnose the cause of anemia, a condition in which there are too few red blood cells.
The indices include:
See also: RBC count
Alternative NamesErythrocyte indices; Blood indices; Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH); Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC); Mean corpuscular volume (MCV); Red blood cell indices
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
The values for MCHC, and MCH are calculated from the hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit(Hct), and RBC count:
The MCV is measured directly by a machine.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is necessary.
How the test will feelWhen the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedRBCs transport hemoglobin which, in turn, transports oxygen. The amount of oxygen tissues receive depends on the amount and function of RBCs and hemoglobin.
The MCV reflects the size of red blood cells. The MCH and MCHC reflect the hemoglobin content of red blood cells. These RBC measures are used to diagnose types of anemia.
Anemias are defined based on cell size (MCV) and amount of Hgb (MCH).
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
What abnormal results meanThis test is used to diagnose the cause of anemia. The following are the types of anemia and their causes:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Zuckerman K. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 162.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/09/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Red blood cell (RBC) indices are calculations derived from the complete blood count that aid in the diagnosis and classification of anemia
mean corpuscular volume (MCV); mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH); mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC); and red cell distribution width (RDW).
blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit
mean cell volume
Cell indices are usually calculated from tests performed on an automated electronic cell counter.
The indices are used to help in the differential diagnosis of anemia.
zidovudine (Retrovir), phenytoin (Dilantin), and azathioprine (Imuran)
Releasing oxygen
Binding carbon fioxide
yes. platelets are the cell type which are required for blood clotting.
The function of the red blood cell is to carry oxygen to body tissues. Its structural features that allow this include the hemoglobin molecule, its anuclear state, and its biconcave shape.
The formed elements of blood are red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). Thrombocytes are the formed element that is actually a cell fragment. Platelets are important in blood clotting.
The white blood cell has nucleus that red blood cell does not
following steps one should follow to find the miller indices of a crystal plane :Determine the intercepts of the face along the crystallographic axes, in terms of unit cell dimensions.Take the reciprocalsClear fractionsReduce to lowest terms You can visualize a a plane by by miller indices by using vesta (software for windows) or by using online Miller indices visualizer by Calistry (google it)