Find Locations
For hours, walk-ins and appointments.Synonyms
- Erythrocyte Count
Expected Turnaround Time
Within 1 day
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Documents
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Whole blood
Volume
Tube fill capacity
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL (500 μL for pediatric microtainer capillary tubes; fill tube to capacity.) (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Collection
Invert tube immediately 8 to 10 times once tube is filled at time of collection.
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 1 day |
Refrigerated | 3 days |
Frozen | Unstable |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Unstable |
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; clotted specimen; tube not filled with minimum volume; improper labeling; transport tubes with whole blood; specimen drawn in any anticoagulant other than EDTA; specimen diluted or contaminated with IV fluid; specimen received with plasma removed
Test Details
Use
Evaluate anemia and loss of red cells and suspected polycythemic condition
Limitations
Presence of cold agglutinins may result in falsely low RBC counts.
Methodology
Automated cell counter
Additional Information
Decrease in RBC count may be the result of red cell loss by bleeding or hemolysis (intravascular or extravascular), failure of marrow production (due to a broad variety of causes), or may be secondary to dilutional factors (eg, intravenous fluids). Increase in RBC count may be the result of primary polycythemia (polycythemia vera) or secondary polycythemia (hypoxemia of lung or cardiovascular disease, increased erythropoietin production associated with renal cyst, renal cell carcinoma, cerebellar hemangioblastoma, or high O2 affinity hemoglobinopathy) including stress polycythemia (hemoconcentration associated with exercise, exertion, fright, etc).
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 005033 | RBC | 789-8 | 005033 | RBC | x10E6/uL | 789-8 |
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The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2021, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf