My mother had some blood work done and her red blood count came bacl a little lower than normal. Can someone tell me what that means? Is it serious?

I dont know to tell you the truth. But i do know that having a high white blood cell count means that you have an infection in your body that your white blood cells are trying to fight. Normally this can cause an irritated spleen, such as people with mono.

But maybe ask your doctor or do a search on YAHOO.

I have the opposite, too many red blood cells (Polycythaemia). I have been told that my blood is very thick and I am prone to blood clots, strokes etc.

Maybe we could get together and she could have some of my red and I could have some of her white cells !!!!

Istn't life a bowl of cherries!

shona

I work at a blood bank and we do red blood cell counts on a daily basis. My first question is was your mothers Hematicrit low or was is her actual red blood cell count. There is a differnce. Your hematicrit is your calculated percentage of red blood cells compared to all the other blood componenets including platelets (the clumpy things that clot your blood), white cells (leukocytes- your body's infection fighters), and red blood cells (your oxygen carriers. This is what the hemoglobin rests on top of that carries the oxygen. Your red blood cells give it a piggy back ride). Your red blood cell count is the actual number of red blood cells in your body at one time. If the Hematicrit is low so is the red blood cell count. Most women run lower in this area because of our monthly blood loss. But it can also point to more serious things like internal bleeding or anemia. Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by juju_magoo (edited 02-27-2003).]