Included with every panel
Baseline labs come free with any panel you build.
Blood & iron
Red blood cell count test
Number of red cells per volume; evaluates anemia and polycythemia. Included with every panel.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Counts the red blood cells in a sample of your blood. These cells carry oxygen, so having too few can leave you tired and short of breath.
Why it matters for women
Red cell counts normally run a bit lower in women than in men, and heavy periods and pregnancy can lower them further. Read with hemoglobin and the size of your red cells, it can help point to the kind of anemia, such as low iron.
You might check it if…
- you’ve been feeling unusually tired or out of breath
- your periods are heavy or long
- you were recently pregnant or gave birth
- a past blood count was flagged as off
What your result may mean
High Red blood cell count: what it may mean
A high red blood cell count may mean your blood is more concentrated, as can happen with dehydration, or that your body is making extra red cells. It can occur with smoking, living at high altitude, or a lung or heart condition. In rarer cases, a bone marrow disorder called polycythemia vera can be the reason. Testosterone use and sleep apnea can also push the count up. Headaches, dizziness or a flushed face may appear, though a slightly high count may cause no symptoms.
Low Red blood cell count: what it may mean
A low red blood cell count may mean anemia, which can come from low iron, vitamin B12 or folate, blood loss, long-term illness or reduced bone marrow production. Counts can run a bit lower in women than in men, and heavy periods can lower them further. In pregnancy, extra fluid in the blood can dilute red cells. You may feel tired, dizzy, short of breath or cold, or you may notice very little with a mild drop. Hemoglobin and red cell size can help point to the type of anemia.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.