Understanding Your CBC Test Results: Strategies to Increase Red Blood Cells

If you do not maintain a proper diet, your red blood cell count will drop, and as a result, you will have Anemia. When this happens, your doctor will suggest medication in addition to lifestyle modifications such as eating a balanced diet. Anemia may also indicate that your red blood cells are unhealthy and not functioning properly, issues that need treatment. Increasing your red blood cell count will also ultimately assist with getting rid of tiredness and other symptoms associated with Anemia.

When you seek medical attention, and your doctor suspects Anemia, they will usually prescribe a complete blood count test. Apart from Anemia, a number of other conditions, such as infections, immune system problems, and blood malignancies, can be identified with the use of a complete blood count test.

What is a Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test?

A complete blood count (CBC) is a type of blood test used to identify many medical disorders, including the disorders caused by low red blood cell count. Anemia, infections, blood malignancies, and other diseases can all be detected by it! These test results can tell your doctor about your immune system's function and how your body is responding to certain drugs as well.

Your blood sample is taken by a medical technician and sent to a lab for a complete blood count test, and the quantity of white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and red blood cells gets measured. Your doctor may also request a peripheral blood smear in addition to a complete blood count to have more insights into your medical condition. When a lab does a complete blood count along with a differential, it also counts immature blood cells and every variety of white blood cells, which provides further details to your provider about the various immune system cells.

Your doctor may request a CBC test as a part of a standard physical checkup or to look into symptoms, such as fever, unexpected weight loss, night sweats, bruises, etc. This test is also done to keep an eye on a persistent medical problem, such as kidney disease or cancer, and to check the effectiveness of your treatment or the side effects of any medications.

CBC Test Results

CBC test results show the levels of many components of your blood. Here, we have included the factors that are tested by CBC in the list below:

Red Blood Cell Counts

• Red blood count (RBC)
• Hemoglobin (Hb)
• Hematocrit (Hct)
• Mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
• Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
• Red cell distribution width (RDW)

Platelet Count 

• Platelet count
• Mean platelet volume (MPV)

White Blood Cell Counts and Differentials 

• White blood cell count (WBC)
• Neutrophils
• Monocytes
• Lymphocytes
• Eosinophils
• Basophils
• Immature granulocytes
• Nucleated red blood cells (nRBC)

Best Methods to Increase Red Blood Cells

Are you wondering how to increase red blood cells count? Maintaining a healthy diet is absolutely the best method if you need to increase your red blood cell count. Consuming a diet high in nutrients can provide the body with the resources it needs to produce healthy red blood cells! All doctors agree that a person who consumes insufficient amounts of vital nutrients typically has a low red blood cell count.

Keep the foods we have mentioned below in your meals, and you won’t have to think about how to increase red blood cells count anymore!

• Legumes and Beans 

Black beans and lentils are excellent plant-based sources of iron! The synthesis of red blood cells is supported by the high levels of folate and vitamin B6 found in beans and legumes. Plant-based iron is not as easily absorbed by the body as heme iron; however, iron absorption can be improved by eating these meals alongside foods high in vitamin C.

• Red Meat

For those who suffer from iron-deficiency anemia, Heme iron found in red meats is very advantageous. Remember, it's crucial to balance red meat consumption with other protein sources and always eat it in moderation. Red meat contains a lot of vitamin B12, which is essential for the synthesis of red blood cells!

• Poultry

Chicken provides lean protein, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6, all of which are necessary for the synthesis of red blood cells. While vitamin B12 is important for the production of red blood cells, vitamin B6 is required for the synthesis of hemoglobin.

• Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy greens are high in iron, which is a necessary mineral for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen and transports it to all of the body's cells, and that’s why eating greens high in iron is necessary.

•  Fruits 

If you think you don’t know how to increase red blood cells count, why not listen to your doctor and eat fruit as they always suggested? Vitamin C, which is plentiful in citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, improves the absorption of iron and enhances the production of red blood cells.

• Seeds and Nuts 

Nutrients including folate, and vitamin E, are abundant in nuts and seeds, such as almond seeds. Vitamin E aids in the defense of red blood cells from harm, while folate is essential for the synthesis of red blood cells!

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Even though increasing your red blood cells through a balanced diet is the best way, not everyone can eat every type of food item. So, if you are on a restricted diet and want to learn how to increase red blood cells count, the answer is through supplements.

However, always remember to see a doctor before taking supplements if your diet isn't providing enough of the essential nutrients. Prescription iron and vitamin B12 supplements may be part of the therapy for some forms of Anemia! Visiting a doctor is a must because some of the supplements may interfere with drugs you may be taking for other illnesses. After your doctor gets the results of your complete blood count test, they will decide whether to give you supplements or not!

The most common supplements that are prescribed to people with a low red blood cell count are iron, copper, vitamin B12, vitamin B9, vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), vitamin C, and vitamin E, all of which are essential for your body’s functions.

Conclusion

A complete blood count test is prescribed by a doctor when they suspect you have low red blood cells, low platelet count, or other blood disorders. A CBC test is so thorough that it gives your doctor lots of information about your health, and they can select your treatment plan based on that result. They will also make a diet plan for you to increase your red blood cell count after the test is done! CBC tests are also performed to keep track of how you are responding to your medication and current treatment plan. If you are in need of a CBC test, contact Pathkind Labs today, and get the test done by experts!