View source for Red blood cell indices

{{short description|Details about red blood cells as part of a standard blood test}}
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| purpose         =information about the hemoglobin content and size of red blood cells
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'''Red blood cell indices''' are [[blood test]]s that provide information about the [[hemoglobin]] content and size of [[red blood cells]].  Abnormal values indicate the presence of [[anemia]] and which type of anemia it is.<ref>[https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003648.htm MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: R                         BC indices]</ref>

== Mean corpuscular volume ==
{{main|Mean corpuscular volume}}
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is the average volume of a red blood cell and is calculated by dividing the [[hematocrit]] (Hct) by the concentration of red blood cell count.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
* <math> \textit{MCV} = \frac{\textit{Hct}}{[\textit{RBC}]} </math>
* Normal range: 80–100 fL (femtoliter)

== Mean corpuscular hemoglobin ==
{{main|Mean corpuscular hemoglobin}}
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) is the average amount of [[hemoglobin]] (Hb) per red blood cell and is calculated by dividing the hemoglobin by the red blood cell count. {{cn|date=November 2021}}
* <math>MCH = \frac{Hb}{RBC}</math>
* Normal range: 27-31 pg/cell

== Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration ==
{{main|Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration}}
Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) is the average concentration of hemoglobin per unit volume of red blood cells and is calculated by dividing the hemoglobin by the hematocrit. {{cn|date=November 2021}}
* <math>MCHC = \frac{Hb}{Hct}</math>
* Normal range: 32-36 g/dL

== Red blood cell distribution width ==
{{main|Red blood cell distribution width}}
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW or RDW-CV or RCDW and RDW-SD) is a measure of the range of variation of red blood cell (RBC) volume, yielding clues about morphology.{{cn|date=April 2022}}

== Erythropoietic precursor indices ==
{{main|reticulocyte production index|erythropoiesis|nucleated red blood cell|reticulocyte}}
The reticulocyte production index (RPI) or corrected reticulocyte count (CRC) represents the true significance of the absolute reticulocyte count to provide some reflection of erythropoietic demand and supply. The immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) goes a step further to cast more light on the same question.{{cn|date=April 2022}}

==Worked example==
{{Red blood cell indices worked example}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Myeloid blood tests}}

[[Category:Blood tests]]