Merck Manual

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Red Blood Cell Production

By

Evan M. Braunstein

, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Reviewed/Revised Jul 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
View PATIENT EDUCATION

RBCs survive about 120 days. They then lose their cell membranes and are largely cleared from the circulation by the phagocytic cells of the spleen and liver. Hemoglobin is broken down primarily by the heme oxygenase system with conservation (and subsequent reutilization) of iron, degradation of heme to bilirubin through a series of enzymatic steps, and reutilization of amino acids. Maintenance of a steady number of RBCs requires daily renewal of 1/120 of the cells; immature RBCs (reticulocytes) are continually released and constitute 0.5 to 1.5% of the peripheral RBC population.

With aging, hemoglobin and hematocrit (Hct) decrease slightly, but not below normal values. In menstruating women, the most common cause of lower RBC levels is iron deficiency due to chronic blood loss resulting from menstruation.

View PATIENT EDUCATION
NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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