--- title: Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count Test type: test id: rbc-count url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/rbc-count-test" price_usd: 14.99 lab_fee_usd: 6 all_in_usd: 20.99 category: Blood Health sample: Blood draw fasting_required: false results_in: "1–3 business days" labs: - Quest orderable: true reviewed_at: 2026-10-16 order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=rbc-count-test&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown" --- # Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count Test > A standalone red blood cell count — the RBC line from a CBC on its own, for re-checking a single result, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $14.99 plus a $6 lab processing fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 1–3 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest. **Also known as:** RBC Blood Test, Red Blood Cell Count Test, Erythrocyte Count ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | $14.99 + $6 lab processing fee per order ($20.99 all-in for this test alone) | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 1–3 business days | | Labs | Quest Diagnostics | | Biomarkers measured | 1 | | Physician authorization | Included — no doctor's visit, referral or insurance needed | | Payment | Card, HSA or FSA; cash-pay only (no insurance billing) | ## What does the Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test tell you? A standalone red blood cell count — the RBC line from a CBC on its own, for re-checking a single result. Most people are better served by the full CBC with differential, which adds hemoglobin, hematocrit, the red-cell indices and white cells for $7 more. The red blood cell count is the number of oxygen-carrying cells per microliter of blood. On its own it answers a narrow question — has a previously low or high RBC count changed — which is why this page exists: to re-check one number cheaply. For almost any other purpose the complete blood count is the better test, and it costs $7 more here: anemia is judged on hemoglobin and hematocrit as much as on the count, the red-cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW) say what kind of anemia it is, and the white-cell and platelet lines come with it. A low RBC count points toward anemia from blood loss, iron, B12 or folate deficiency, kidney disease or marrow problems — ferritin and B12 are the natural follow-ups; a high count can be dehydration, smoking, altitude, sleep apnea, testosterone therapy or, rarely, polycythemia vera, and hematocrit is the companion number clinicians act on. Measured on an automated hematology analyzer at Quest Diagnostics; no fasting is needed, and hydration status on the day shifts the result slightly. ## Biomarkers measured - [RBC](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/red-blood-cell-count) ## Price by lab | Lab | Test price | All-in (with $6 fee) | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | $14.99 | $20.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | Rhode Island is not served. Prices are identical online and in the lab; no draw fee or physician fee is added. ## How much does a Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test cost? A Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test costs $14.99 at TestWell — $20.99 all-in, since the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order and there is no draw or physician fee. Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $60.00 self-pay. With insurance you pay your plan's negotiated rate against your deductible; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and HSA/FSA-eligible. | Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | TestWell (drawn at Quest) | $14.99 | $20.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order | | Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $60.00 | $60.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher | ## How do you prepare? No fasting required. Drink water normally — dehydration concentrates the blood and nudges the count up. ## Common questions about the Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test ### How long does it take to get Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test results? Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test results are typically ready in 1–3 business days after your draw at Quest. TestWell emails you the moment they post, and your results dashboard shows each marker against its reference range with a plain-English explanation. ### Do I need to fast, or can I eat before a Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test? No, fasting is not required for a Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test — you can eat normally and book any time of day. Drink water normally — dehydration concentrates the blood and nudges the count up. ### What can throw off a Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test result? Smoking and nicotine and recent blood donation can change a Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test result without anything being wrong. Smoking and nicotine can raise RBC — tell the clinician; a high hematocrit in a smoker is usually smoking, not polycythemia. Recent blood donation can lower RBC — wait 6–8 weeks after a whole-blood donation for an anemia baseline. Each is explained on our physician-reviewed "Before your test" pages; when one applies, remove it and retest. ### Where can I get a Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test near me without a doctor? Order the Red Blood Cell (RBC) Count test online from TestWell for $14.99 (plus a $6 per-order lab processing fee) — no doctor's visit, referral or insurance needed. A licensed physician authorizes the order, then you walk into any Quest patient service center near you for the draw (the lab locator on our site lists the closest ones by ZIP code), and results arrive in 1–3 business days. ## How to order 1. Add to cart: https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=rbc-count-test&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown 2. Create an account or sign in, confirm your state and preferred lab, pay by card, HSA or FSA. 3. A licensed physician authorizes the order (usually within minutes); the requisition arrives by email. 4. Walk into any Quest Diagnostics patient service center — no appointment needed at most sites. 5. Results post to your TestWell portal in 1–3 business days with reference ranges and flags. ## Related - [D-Dimer](https://www.test-well.com/tests/d-dimer) — $69.99 - [Factor V Leiden Mutation](https://www.test-well.com/tests/factor-v-leiden) — $131.99 - [Haptoglobin](https://www.test-well.com/tests/haptoglobin-test) — $101.99 - [Immature Red Blood Cell Test](https://www.test-well.com/tests/reticulocyte-count) — $19.99 - [Prothrombin Time with INR](https://www.test-well.com/tests/prothrombin-time-inr) — $23.99 - [All Blood Health tests](https://www.test-well.com/tests/category/blood-health) - [Full test directory](https://www.test-well.com/tests/directory) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-10-16. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/tests/rbc-count-test Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.