The main and vital function of the blood is carried out due to the circulation of red blood cells in it. These cells contain the protein hemoglobin, which is able to attach oxygen at the place of its greatest concentration (i.e., in the lungs) and give it away where oxygen starvation is observed (in the tissues). Similarly, hemoglobin can bind to carbon dioxide, transporting it in the opposite direction (although this is not the main way of utilizing CO2).
RBCs are formed in the red bone marrow (RBC) from the precursors of the erythrocyte hematopoietic lineage. They function for about 120 days and then are destroyed in the spleen, CCM and partly in the liver. They fulfill their role as long as their special elastic biconcave shape is preserved. It is thanks to her that it is possible for the cell to pass through the smallest blood capillaries, the size of which is less than the erythrocyte diameter. Only here, in conditions of close contact, gas exchange takes place.
The number of red blood cells directly reflects the ability to supply the whole body with oxygen, therefore, the determination of this indicator in the general analysis is extremely necessary. For men, the norm is 4.0-5.6 * 1012 liters, for women - 3.4-5.0 * 1012 liters. A decrease in Er (erythropenia) is more often noted. This is how they manifest:
Deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid (lack of food, inadequate absorption, higher consumption during pregnancy, in athletes, during the period of active growth);
Bleeding (traumatic, postoperative);
Chronic blood loss (uterine, from disintegrating malignant neoplasms, from the gastrointestinal tract with colitis, ulcers, hemorrhoids);
Poisoning with hemolytic poisons;
Accelerated hemolysis due to splenic pathology;
Hereditary and genetic diseases (sickle cell anemia and other conditions accompanied by a change in the normal biconcave shape).
A low level is manifested by the following symptoms:
Pallor of the skin and mucous membranes;
Increased fatigue;
Weakness;
Frequent dizziness
Noise in ears;
Hereditary and genetic diseases (sickle cell anemia and other conditions accompanied by a change in the normal biconcave shape).
Palpitations;
Dyspnea.
More specific signs may appear in the form of cold sticky sweat in acute blood loss, yellowness of the skin with increased disintegration of Er, discomfort in the upper abdomen with splenomegaly or hepatomegaly, and loss of body weight.
Erythrocytosis (increase in quantity) is less common. Physiologically, this occurs in the process of adapting to hypoxia when living in a high-mountainous area. Sometimes - against the background of dehydration (vomiting, diarrhea, burns). More serious conditions manifested by erythrocytosis:
Kidney tumors (hypersecretion of erythropoietins - hematopoietic stimulants), malignant damage to the hematopoietic growths of the bone marrow;
Lung diseases (emphysema, atelectasis, COPD, asthma) and heart defects at the stage of hypoxia compensation.
The determination of erythrocytes is shown to each person at least once a year for prophylactic purposes or when the first signs of anemia appear, which will make it possible to timely identify the disease and begin treatment.
