What does anemia indicate about a person's blood cells?

Anemia is a medical condition characterized by a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells in the body. Specifically, it indicates that the red blood cell count is lower than what is considered normal. This reduction in red blood cells can lead to decreased oxygen transport capacity in the body, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and pale skin.

In contrast, a normal red blood cell count would indicate that anemia is not present, while a higher than normal count does not align with the definition of anemia. Additionally, the presence of excessive white blood cells relates to different medical conditions, such as infections or blood disorders, rather than anemia. Thus, the correct understanding is that anemia signifies a lower-than-normal red blood cell count.