Abnormal Red Blood Cell Results
RBC Protein Linkages
- Lemon shaped RBCs instead of the normal round bi-concave appearance caused by protein linkages forming between the cells
- Possible causes: blood is toxic (lowered blood pH) from stress, coffee, cigarettes, meat, poor protein digestion, pancreas deficiency – may increase during healing activity
- Possible signs: fatigue, RBC’s cannot carry enough oxygen to body tissues, sugar intolerance, hypoglycemia
RBC Rouleau
- Stacked RBCs instead of free floating RBCs can indicate dehydration or more severe forms of protein linkages
- Possible causes: same as above
- Possible signs: fatigue, shortness of breath, stress on heart, cold hands and feet, poor circulation
RBCs Aggregated
- Erythrocyte aggregation forming “blood sludge” – where all RBCs clumped together and do not freely float around
- Possible causes: severe dehydration blood toxicity with acidic body environment – due to long term stress and toxicity coffee, cigarettes, meat, poor protein digestion
- Possible signs: heart stress, poor circulation and beginning of degenerative diseases
Macrocytes
- RBCs larger than normal causing macrocytic (large-cell) anemia
- RBCs hold the same amount of oxygen regardless of size – the larger sized RBCs cannot move as freely through tissues since they are too larger causing decreased tissue oxygenation and symptoms of fatigue
- Possible causes: low levels of blood minerals, vitamin deficiencies, poor digestion and fat metabolism, lack of proper bowel bacteria
- Possible signs: inability of RBC to adequately carry oxygen, shortness of breath, fatigue, light headedness
Oval Shaped RBCs
- Oval shaped RBCs (Ovalocytes) instead of round shape
- Possible causes: vitamin imbalances, hormone imbalances
- Possible signs: inability of RBC to adequately carry oxygen, shortness of breath, fatigue, light headedness
Microcytes
- RBCs too small when compared to normal sized RBCs
- Possible causes: low levels of minerals and vitamin deficiencies
- Possible signs: anemia, low energy, fatigue, bone issues and bone loss
Helmet Shaped RBCs
- RBCs do not appear round but have a “squished” appearance
- Possible causes: liver stress resulting in inadequate detoxification, stress on the body, improper digestion
- Possible signs: fatigue, RBC’s cannot carry enough oxygen to body tissues
Bites out of RBCs
- Appears as if a bite has been taken out of the membrane edge of the RBC – shows malformations in the RBC membrane
- Possible causes: viral activity or latent viral activity, low oxygenation of the body
- Possible signs: fatigue, and chronic illness, muscle weakness
Protrusions
- Protrusions emanating from the boarder of the RBC giving it an irregular shape – shows malformations in the RBC membrane
- Possible causes: low bile salts from the liver and gallbladder, improper fat metabolism issues resulting in membrane malformation
- Possible signs: gallstones and abdominal pain worse with fatty foods, gallbladder congestion and sludge build-up
RBC Bottle Caps
- Membrane corrugation (porkilocyte) resulting in decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the RBC
- Possible causes: poor digestion of fats, low unsaturated FA, heavy metal toxicity, cigarettes, environmental chemicals, pesticides, food additives, low minerals, drug use, free radicals
- Possible signs: poor circulation, low energy, chronic fatigue, chronic diseases
RBC Burs, Spikes
- Shrunken, shadow, dying RBCs – more than 1% is considered normal
- Possible causes: recreational or pharmaceutical drug use, free radical damage, toxins, excessive alcohol intake, lack of proper vitamins and minerals in the diet
- Possible signs: poor circulation, low energy, degenerative diseases process
RBCs Broken Membrane
- Fragile, fragmentation of the RBC membrane causing cell death and decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the RBC
- Possible causes: ingestion or inhalation of toxins, fumes, tobacco, drugs, smog, free radical damage, low B12, folic acid, blood iron, fat soluble vitamin absorption issues
- Possible signs: anemia, low energy, fatigue, degenerative disease process