Red cell mass
Last updated: Wednesday, 05, December, 2007
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | In vivo test - rarely indicated, please consult haematologist. |
| Method | Red cell volume, plasma volume and total blood volume calculated from PCV and isotope dilution after reinjection of red cells labelled with radioactive isotope. |
| Reference Interval | Consult pathologist. Red cell volume Plasma volume: 40-50 mL/kg Total blood volume: 60-80 mL/kg. |
| Application | Only occasionally indicated in the investigation of polycythaemia. |
| Interpretation | Demonstration of an increased red cell volume differentiates absolute polycythaemia (primary or secondary) from relative (stress) polycythaemia. |
| Reference | ICSH. J Nuclear Med 1980; 21: 793-800. Mitchell Lewis S, Bain BJ, Bates I. Dacie and Lewis Practical Haemotology. Churchill Livingstone. 10th ed 2006. |