In anemia, which parameter is decreased?

• A. Decreased red blood cell count
• B. Increased red blood cell count
• C. Decreased white blood cell count
• D. Increased white blood cell count

Answer: (A)

Anemia is a condition where the total red blood cell mass is reduced, which lowers the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. Because of this, the red blood cell count falls—the key finding in most anemias. White blood cells, on the other hand, are a separate cell line and are not inherently decreased in anemia; they may be normal or affected only in specific bone marrow disorders. An increased red blood cell count would contradict the diagnosis of anemia, and an increased white cell count points toward infection or inflammation rather than anemia. So the parameter that decreases in anemia is the red blood cell count.