Effects of low erythrocytes
What happens if the erythrocyte values are too low? The blood, in particular the red blood cells found in it, are extremely important for human health and well-being.
Interesting from a medical point of view is above all the deviation of the erythrocyte values, because this can result in a wide variety of erythrocyte effects, which can endanger and hinder people in everyday life.
It is not only important to consider the case of too high a number, but problems can also arise if the erythrocytes are too low.
If it is determined during a blood test or as a result of it that the number of erythrocytes is too low, health consequences can develop from this.
From a medical point of view, this is referred to as anemia, which is another technical term for the circumstance of insufficient oxygen supply.
| standard values | Explanation | Women | Men |
| erythrocytes | erythrocyte count | from 3.9 to 5.3 million/ µl | from 4.3 – 5.7 million/ µl |
If the values are too low, the direct effects are, above all, shortness of breath or an increase in your own heart rate under high stress.
From a health point of view, values in terms of erythrocytes that are too low are often due to heavy blood loss. Injuries, operations or even a health condition can lead to health problems and limitations in such a case.
Furthermore, the disease of haemolysis can also exist. This describes and includes the excessively rapid breakdown of red blood cells in the human blood, so that the production of new blood cells cannot keep up in terms of number and quantity. If the own values of the erythrocytes are too low, breathing difficulties often occur during normal physical exertion due to the lack of oxygen transport.
If the erythrocyte values are too low, an appropriately adapted diet can react by increasing the intake of nutrients and iron.
Low erythrocyte count
A laboratory test can determine whether the values are too low. Due to their importance, the values of the erythrocytes should be compared and observed in a regular blood count by the general practitioner.
If this is in the normal range, the patient will not notice any restrictions in his life or in various activities, whereby erythrocytes too low or too high in number can still lead to health problems.
However, it is important to take a closer look and observe the case of erythrocytes that are too low , because this can also be attributed to physical characteristics and peculiarities. For example, menstrual bleeding in women means that the erythrocytes can be too low due to the high and sustained blood loss during this time.
At the same time, both the cases of values that are too low and values that are too high are relevant to health, as they pose a problem in terms of oxygen supply to the human body. An undersupply as well as an oversupply leads to health problems, which especially in the case of erythrocytes are too low Values can have lasting consequences. Regular examinations of their own blood count are therefore quite appropriate on the part of the patient.
Erythrocytes – too low during pregnancy
The number of erythrocytes is reduced in many women during pregnancy. This is a relatively normal condition towards the end of pregnancy because, for example, the embryo has an increased need for iron. Depending on the severity of the erythrocyte deficiency, there is a risk for mother and child.
The task of the erythrocytes is to supply the organs with oxygen. In order to absorb it in the lungs, they need hemoglobin (the iron component of the red blood pigment). The body needs vitamin B12, folic acid and iron to form red blood cells in the bone marrow. If there is a deficiency in one of the substances, anemia develops.
Causes of red blood cell deficit in pregnancy
The most frequently detected hematological disease in pregnancy is anemia. This indicates a reduction in hemoglobin and erythrocytes. It occurs during pregnancy due to the mother’s increased need for growth and building materials for blood formation. The pregnant woman is particularly at risk in the 28th to 32nd week of her pregnancy. During this time, the child grows faster. What it needs in terms of substances for blood formation, it gets from its mother. This creates an increased need for her.
If the woman lacks erythrocytes during pregnancy, it is necessary to find out which of the various causes of anemia is correct. It is often a dilution anemia, during which the liquid part of the blood, the serum, increases.
The absolute number of cellular components increases only slightly. The result is a thinning of the blood and a lack of erythrocytes. The blood pigment, hemoglobin, decreases.
Iron deficiency occurs due to the fact that the unborn child in the second half of pregnancy causes the mother to have an increased need for iron. It is often not able to cover it with food alone. To prevent a lack of erythrocytes during pregnancy, she eats more vegetables, legumes, whole grain products, meat and fish.
Ten percent of all anemias during pregnancy are caused by a lack of folic acid. During pregnancy there is an increased need for the vitamin belonging to the B complex. The organism needs folic acid to form erythrocytes and for cell growth.
A deficit also develops as a result of taking various medications such as methotrexate and as a result of an intestinal disease. To prevent a folic acid deficiency and thus prevent a deficiency of erythrocytes, the pregnant woman makes sure to include leafy vegetables, liver, milk and yeast in her diet.
Possible causes of a reduction in erythrocytes during pregnancy include various blood losses. Bleeding anemia is caused, for example, by stomach ulcers or hemorrhoids.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of erythrocyte deficiency in pregnancy
A deficit of red blood cells during pregnancy is noticeable through various health impairments. If the following symptoms are present, the expectant mother consults her doctor for a diagnosis:
- Dizziness,
- Headache,
- Angina pectoris (Herz-Enge),
- Paleness,
- palpitations,
- shortness of breath,
- persistent fatigue,
- decreased performance as well
- disorders of concentration.
If the symptoms are mentioned, the doctor will take blood to find the cause of the symptoms. For diagnosis, he examines it for the number of erythrocytes, the HB value, which indicates the content of the blood pigment, and the hematocrit value, which shows the relationship between the blood fluid and the blood cells . He also draws his conclusions from the iron and folic acid levels in the blood of the pregnant woman.
If the doctor detects a lack of red erythrocytes during pregnancy, he adjusts his therapy to the determined values. Iron, folic acid and vitamin supplements are available to the doctor and the mother-to-be for treatment and prevention.
Too few red blood cells in pregnancy and its consequences summarized
The most common blood disorder during pregnancy is anemia. It indicates a lack of erythrocytes. The causes are an increased need for iron, folic acid and vitamin B12.
If the pregnant woman notices symptoms such as tiredness, rapid exhaustion, weakness or, for example, tachycardia, she consults her doctor to clarify whether there is a deficit in red blood cells. The absence of erythrocytes during pregnancy always poses a risk for both mother and child.
A serious complication of a red blood cell deficit is, for example, the risk of premature rupture of membranes or premature placental abruption. Bleeding complications such as uterine rupture or bleeding caused by trauma to the birth canal carry the risk of hemorrhagic shock.
Further reading:
Diseases during pregnancy: Manual of diagnoses from A to Z, authors: Volker Briese, Michael Bolz, Toralf Reimer, published by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
