If you’ve ever looked at your blood test results and wondered what all those numbers mean, or even how we figured out to look at red blood cells in the first place, you’re not alone. It’s kind of amazing to think that something so routine today, like RBC testing, started centuries ago with a simple look through a microscope.

Let’s take a little walk through time together and see how red blood cell testing went from hand-counting cells under candlelight to the fast, affordable, and even self-pay-friendly options we have today. 

Whether you’re managing anemia, curious about your CBC test, or just love a good story about medical progress, this one’s for you.

Who First Studied Red Blood Cells?

Long before blood tests showed up in your patient portal, there were just a few curious minds and some early microscopes.

Back in the 1600s, scientists like Jan Swammerdam and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek were among the first to observe blood cells. Van Leeuwenhoek, often called the father of microbiology, used handmade lenses to look at blood and noted the tiny “red globules” we now know as red blood cells.

At the time, this was revolutionary, no one had seen blood that way before. Their observations opened the door to understanding how blood works and how we could eventually use it to track our health.

What RBC Testing Looked Like in the Past

Fast forward a couple centuries, and doctors were still relying on very basic tools. Think: glass slides, manual microscopes, and a whole lot of guesswork.

Early blood tests involved smearing a bit of blood on a slide, adding stains to help see the cells, and manually counting them under a microscope. No machines. No automatic results. Just careful observation, and unfortunately, a fair amount of inconsistency.

Back then, we didn’t fully understand what low red blood cell counts meant for things like fatigue or weakness. So while these tests were a step forward, they were still missing the bigger picture.

When Major Advancements Happened

Here’s where things start picking up. Let’s break down the timeline of key improvements in RBC testing:

1800s

During the early days of blood analysis, manual microscopy was the standard. A big breakthrough came in 1877 when Paul Ehrlich introduced aniline dyes, which made it much easier to see and distinguish different types of blood cells under the microscope.

Early 1900s

Karl Landsteiner made a game-changing discovery with the ABO blood group system, a key development that made safe blood transfusions possible.

Mid-1900s

Wallace H. Coulter revolutionized the field with his impedance-based cell counter, a device that could automatically count red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, saving time and improving accuracy in labs.

2000s to today

By 2002, Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) was licensed for screening HIV and hepatitis C in blood donations, greatly improving the safety of the blood supply by detecting infections earlier than traditional methods.

Today, modern hematology analyzers use advanced technologies like flow cytometry, laser scatter, and digital imaging to not only count cells but also flag unusual patterns, like abnormal red blood cell shapes or sizes, that may indicate underlying health issues.

Where RBC Testing Happens Today

These days, RBC testing isn’t limited to hospitals or specialty labs. You can get tested:

  • At your doctor’s office
  • In a walk-in clinic or urgent care
  • At retail health centers (like those inside major pharmacies)
  • Through direct-to-consumer lab services, no insurance or doctor’s visit required

Programs like LaboratoryAssist make it possible for self-pay patients to access these tests affordably, often with clear upfront pricing.

Final Thoughts

From hand-built microscopes in the 1600s to lightning-fast digital results today, RBC testing has come a long way.

And that journey means you can trust the results you get now, whether you’re checking for anemia, monitoring fatigue, or simply getting answers about how your body’s doing.

If you’ve been putting off a test or unsure where to start, this might be a great moment to take that next step. RBC testing is more accessible than ever, and sometimes, understanding the why behind the test makes it a little easier to say yes.