It examines the components of blood, including red and white blood cells and platelets. Other laboratory tests are discussed in Fact Sheet 107 and Fact Sheet 108. All blood cells are made in the bone marrow, the center of large bones. Some medications or diseases can damage the bone marrow. This can reduce the numbers of different types of red or white blood cells.
Most lab reports show the normal range and highlight any test results outside the normal range.
This is measured by three main tests. A high RBC is common for people who live at high altitude. It's a way the body adjusts to thinner oxygen. Very low readings for RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit can indicate anemia. With anemia, the cells do not get enough oxygen to function normally.