If you have a high red blood cell count, then you have something called erythrocytosis. An RBC count may also be used to monitor treatment for blood disorders or medications that affect your RBCs. Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing iron intake, exercising regularly, quitting smoking can do the job and get you back to normal . Your doctor may draw out around 500 milliliters of blood in one visit. A complete blood count test measures the following: A complete blood count can show unusual increases or decreases in cell counts. What Does High Basophils Mean in a Blood Test? Certain medications, such as methyldopa and gentamicin can increase red blood cell (RBC) counts. There is a problem with * Polycythemia is an increase in both RBC concentration and hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the body's tissues (ref. All rights reserved. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it affects one in about 365 Black Americans. What are the symptoms of high red blood cell count? The cause of secondary polycythemia is the result of external factors such as sleep apnea, hypoxia, and certain tumors, affecting red blood cell production. This makes your blood thicker than it should be, and it could increase your risk for blood clots. Its also known as an erythrocyte count. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis. Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Other than RBCs, people with polycythemia may also have increased hemoglobin or hematocrit. Your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. Your healthcare provider may recommend certain medications or procedures to help lower your RBC count, especially if a medical condition is causing the abnormal count. Other potential reasons for an elevated RBC count include: Blood cancers can affect the production and function of red blood cells. In primary polycythemia, inherent or acquired problems with red blood cell production lead to polycythemia. Also, being at high altitudes may cause reticulocyte counts to rise, to help you adjust to the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. There are two types of hematuria: McGraw Hill; 2022. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. A high RBC count tells us that there has been an increase in oxygen-carrying cells in the blood. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Get doctor-approved health tips, news, and more. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) & PCOS : Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Diet & Treatment, Who is a Universal Donor? Additional tests will help your healthcare provider determine the cause of your high red blood cell count and next steps in your care. When to see a doctor information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Leukocytosis: definition, causes, symptoms and treatments. Blood. Review/update the Frontiers in Endocrinology. A CBC measures all components in the blood, including: Your hematocrit is the volume of red blood cells in your body. Make sure to inform your doctor about the medications you take. Red Blood Cell Indices: Types, Uses, Results, Anemia Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know, What Hemoglobin Does and Why It Is Important, What Your CBC Blood Test Results Say About Your Health. Another therapy for the condition is phlebotomy, through which the hematocrit level is reduced to normal levels by drawing blood out of the patient with a needle. Your email address will not be published. See your doctor if you suspect that you have anemia. Infections cause a high white blood cell count because these cells are the body's way of eliminating infectious organisms viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Above this level, we consider the red blood cell count elevated. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/. A high red blood cell count is generally considered to be anything above 6.1 million red blood cells for males, 5.4 million for females, and 5.5 for children. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of 7th ed. Marx JA, et al., eds. 2.75. Your body makes three types of blood cells white blood cells to fight infection, platelets to help your blood clot, and red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body and carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs. If you have polycythemia vera (a rare type of blood cancer), your healthcare provider may prescribe a medicine called hydroxyurea. High Red Blood Cell Count: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment. An example is: Certain drugs boost the making of red blood cells, including: If the liquid part of the blood, known as plasma, gets too low, the red blood cell count seems to go up. Know all the Other Blood Groups Too, 19 , . In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. We avoid using tertiary references. Taking performance-enhancing drugs such as. If you have erythrocytosis, you may need a regular phlebotomy. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Anemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause and severity of anemia. People with anemia might feel weak or tired. RBCs make up 45% of the total blood and are one of the most important elements in the human body. privacy practices. Polycythemia resulting from an unhealthy lifestyle may not require medical treatment. A high red blood cell count means the number of red blood cells in your bloodstream is higher than normal. Not necessarily. You may be able to increase a low RBC count by: A red blood cell count is used to measure the number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells in your body. If you have a low RBC count, symptoms could include: If you have a high RBC count, you could experience symptoms such as: If you experience these symptoms your doctor can order an RBC count. For example, it prevents the regular formation of blood clots. The results of these three are related because they each measure a feature of red blood cells. Hemoglobin provides the red color of blood. The body tries to compensate and increase the production of red blood cells for any medical condition that can cause low oxygen levels. Babies and Children: In babies, the number of red blood cells is about 5.8 million/mm3 and the hemoglobin is about 13 to 16 g/dl. privacy practices. Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, Hematocrit, the amount of red blood cells in the blood. Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI,is a board-certified preventive cardiologist and lipidologist. This content does not have an Arabic version. Platelets are small cells that circulate in the blood and form blood clots that allow wounds to heal and prevent excessive bleeding. This causes the body to make more red blood cells. There are two types of polycythemia vera: The normal ranges for red blood cell count are the following: Men: The number of red blood cells in men is between 4.5 and 6 million/mm3 with a hemoglobin between 13 and 18 g/100 dl. These include any over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or supplements. If you have chronic kidney disease, you might produce less EPO than normal. Zhong F, et al. Ranges may also differ for those who are pregnant. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. EPO is a hormone that causes bone marrow to produce RBCs. read on to find more. These are often symptoms of an abnormal RBC count. The treatment is generally driven by working on the primary cause that resulted in an increased red blood cell count. It's important to determine the source of iron deficiency to prevent recurrence of the anemia. Male: 4.35 trillion to 5.65 trillion cells/L, Female: 3.92 trillion to 5.13 trillion cells/L, Male: 13.2 to 16.6 grams/dL Certain medicines also can cause a drop in white blood cell counts. Dehydration (If the liquid component of the blood (plasma) is decreased, as in dehydration, the red blood cell count increases. Hemoglobinopathy, a condition present at birth that reduces red blood cells' ability to carry oxygen. Your healthcare provider can run a number of tests to determine how many red blood cells are in your blood. After the test, you can return to your usual activities right away. The three main types of blood cancer are: Your doctor will discuss any abnormal results with you. Akunov A, Sydykov A, Toktash T, Doolotova A, Sarybaev A. Hemoglobin changes after long-term intermittent work at high altitude. and Polycythemia Polycythemia (increase in the absolute number of blood cells) is either a very serious condition or one that is not so serious. This is usually due to a problem with cells in your bone marrow. Avoid the use of steroids, erythropoietin, and other performance-enhancing drugs. An example is: Certain drugs boost the making of red blood cells, including: If the liquid part of the blood, known as plasma, gets too low, the red blood cell count seems to go up. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Findatopdoc.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Diagnostic approach to the patient with polycythemia. Polycythemia or high red blood cell count occurs when there is an increase in the number of RBCs in the blood over the above-mentioned values. Low oxygen levels The body might make more red blood cells as a response to conditions that result in low oxygen levels. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. They include: Iron deficiency anemia. Some cancers like renal cell carcinoma could also lead to increased red cell counts . Shots of a protein known as erythropoietin. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Red Blood Cell Count (RBC). An RBC count is a simple blood test performed at your doctors office. https://www.uptodate.com/contents search. Red blood cells (RBCs) are the bright, red-colored cells of the blood. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. However, the red blood cells are simply more tightly packed. This can be caused by losing a lot of blood, a decrease in iron absorption from food by the body, reduced iron intake via your diet, malnutrition, etc. Sign Up For The Latest Healthy Living Updates. (n.d.)https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/polycythemia-vera#, Understand your health Anemia has many causes. Youll need to see your provider regularly while taking hydroxyurea to be sure your red blood cell level doesnt drop too low. 2014;123:615. However, there are some cancers that can result in a high red blood cell count, including: Yes. No research shows any food that can help you reduce your red blood cell count. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Stop smoking, especially if you have COPD or pulmonary fibrosis. Why Are There Red Blood Cells in My Urine? Be visible and accessible with your up to date contact A low RBC count can indicate a serious problem, but not always. No, a low RBC count isn't always serious. other information we have about you. (July 2018)https://labtestsonline.org/tests/red-blood-cell-count-rbc, Understanding Blood Counts. All Rights Reserved. Tefferi A. 4 bananas, pomegranates and watermelons play a very important role in improving hemoglobin count. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Your doctor will be able to tell you about any other necessary precautions. Please enter your username and password to try again. (2021). If you live in a high-altitude city like Denver, your blood count will be far higher than people who live in low-altitude areas like the Gulf Coast. The following are expected complete blood count results for adults. 8th ed. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2014. A high white blood cell count also can be a reaction to medicines or hard exercise. Anemia occurs when your blood doesn't have enough red blood cells. Eosinophil Count: What It Is and What It Means, tenderness in your palms or soles of your feet, clean the puncture site with an antiseptic, wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to make your vein swell with blood, gently insert a needle into your vein and collect the blood in an attached vial or tube, remove the needle and elastic band from your arm, chloramphenicol, which treat bacterial infections, quinidine, which can treat irregular heartbeats, hydantoins, traditionally used to treat epilepsy and muscle spasms, gentamicin, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in the blood, exercising regularly, which requires the body to use up more oxygen, reducing the amount of iron and red meat that you consume. Blood cell disorders impair the formation and function of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. What Causes an Elevated Red Blood Cell Count? When you have a high blood count or a low blood count, it's a sign that you may be sick. A white blood cell count that's higher than usual most commonly is due to an infection or inflammation. Fatigue has many causes besides anemia, so don't assume that if you're tired you must be anemic. The number of red blood cell will also be more concentrated. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Vitamin B12 deficiency. Results in the following areas above or below the typical ranges on a complete blood count might point to a problem. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. http://www.clinicalkey.com. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Your FindaTopDoc account is completely free. For this reason, the ranges cannot be considered hard-and-fast values but just reference points. Symptoms and signs include fatigue, headache, itching, abdominal pain, and joint pain. What does a lower than normal RBC count mean? Riggin EA. Accessed Nov. 30, 2015. Anemia, polycythemia and white blood cell disorders. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Treatment for PV may also involve more than one treatment method to help manage the disease. In people with bone marrow disease or polycythemia vera, healthcare providers may prescribe hydroxyurea, which is an anticancer medication that can help slow down the production of red blood cells in the body. Make an appointment with your doctor if you feel fatigued and you don't know why. Benz EJ. http://www.uptodate.com/home. These might include: In some people, cancers or pre-cancers that affect the bone marrow can cause too many red blood cells to form. Changes in the RBC count also mean that there are changes in the level of hemoglobin and hematocrit in the blood. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. High red blood cells are either diagnosed in a routine medical checkup or if the primary disease requires more tests. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. Pagana KD, et al. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Causes By Mayo Clinic Staff Low oxygen levels, misuse of certain drugs and blood cancers can cause a high red blood cell count. other information we have about you. Policy. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. Red blood cell morphology. A distinction is made between primary polycythemia, which is caused by an exacerbation of the function of the bone marrow that produces red blood cells, and secondary polycythemia. This content does not have an English version. Accessed Oct. 20, 2022. It can be a warning sign of serious illness. Can dehydration cause high red blood cell count? Consult a doctor if you experience fatigue or shortness of breath. They will then: After collecting your blood sample, your doctors office will send it to a laboratory for analysis. Certain drugs, viruses, toxins, or radiation may also cause aplastic anemia. High altitude: Lower oxygen pressure in your environment makes your body require more hemoglobin to maintain your oxygen needs. American Association for Clinical Chemistry/Lab Tests Online. Additional tests will help your healthcare provider determine the cause of your high red blood cell count and next steps in your care.25 Apr 2022. Find doctors & request online appointments. Refer to your child's laboratory report for the reference ranges. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. SCD also increases the risk for pneumonia and lung disease. Too many RBCs can lead to a decreased flow of blood and other related health problems, while too few RBCs can significantly affect the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues. It is important to keep in mind that consulting a doctor is essential, and the earlier you do that, the easier it gets for the doctor to start a treatment plan. 2nd ed. Red blood cells are one of the major components of your blood, along with white blood cells and platelets. If your RBC count is too high or too low, you could experience symptoms and complications. It may be reported in millions of cells per microliter (mcL) of blood or in trillions of cells per liter (L) of blood. A systematic analysis of global anemia burden from 1990 to 2010. Heart disease. Furthermore, there are t. It is important to note that treatment does not permanently cure polycythemia, but it slows its progression and reduces its complications. A high red blood cell count or high hemoglobin or hematocrit levels could point to a medical condition such as blood cancer or heart disease. Red blood cells help carry oxygen throughout your body. Your doctor may order the test if they suspect you have a condition that affects your RBCs, or if you show symptoms of low blood oxygen. If your number of RBCs is lower than normal, you have anemia. Diagnostic approach to the patient with polycythemia. Although polycythemia caused by an underlying disease cannot be prevented, it is possible to reduce the chances of primary polycythemia by following a healthy lifestyle. McGraw Hill; 2022. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Hemoglobin is a protein that transports oxygen from the lungs to the bodys various organs and removes carbon dioxide from the organs to the lungs. https://www.askapollo.com/physical-appointment/general-physician, Cholinergic Urticaria: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention, Histamine Intolerance: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments, Polycythemia vera, a rare type blood cancer in which bone marrow produces too much red blood cells, Carbon monoxide exposure (usually related to smoking), Consuming performance-enhancing drugs likeanabolic steroids(for instance, synthetic testosterone) orerythropoietin. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on One such condition is polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease that causes overproduction of RBCs and is associated with a genetic mutation. You can ask your doctor and discuss the results of your blood tests. Everything You Need to Know About Bilirubin Blood Test, Vomiting Blood (Hematemesis): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, Hodgkins Lymphoma Disease: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment, Glioblastoma: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Diagnosis, Choriocarcinoma Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Diagnosis. Hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells. Slow, chronic blood loss from an ulcer or other source within your body can deplete your body's store of iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia. High red blood cell count can be caused by many factors like : Sometimes, a simple increase in the RBC level is possible, without it being polycythemia: smoking, obesity, hypertension, alcoholism, excessive stress can lead to an increase in this level. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body and to carry carbon dioxide from other parts of the body to your lungs to be exhaled. Anemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. FindATopDoc is a trusted resource for patients to find the top doctors in their area. Women: RBC count shouldn't exceed 5.5m/mm3. If you do have a low RBC count, however, you may need further testing to rule out more serious causes. Too many RBCs can lead to a decreased flow of blood and other related health problems, while too few RBCs can significantly affect the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues. Having RBCs in your urine is called hematuria. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Heart failure, causing low blood oxygen levels. Resources for the hematologist: Interpretive comments and selective reference values for neonatal, pediatric and adult populations. Anemia and older adults. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. If you have a high red blood cell count, its important to talk to your healthcare provider. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Research has shown a link between stress and its effect on your blood cells. (2020). What Is A High Red Blood Cell Count. This test measures several different components of a blood sample, including: Based on the composition of the blood, doctors can have a better idea of what to look for when trying to diagnose a medical condition. Health or lifestyle factors can also cause a high red blood cell count. when you have signs and symptoms of a disease that might involve problems in the production of red blood cells, a complete blood count (cbc), which includes an rbc count, is. A high red blood cell count can be a sign of: Dehydration. Different types of anemia have different causes. Lichtman MA, et al. Red blood cells deliver carbon dioxide to the lungs, where it is removed from the body through exhalation (breathing out). High red blood cell count or erythrocytosis is when the number of red blood cell count exceeds a certain level. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. How Long Does Our Immunity Last? For example, results slightly outside the typical range on a CBC might not be of concern for someone who's healthy and has no symptoms of illness. When a person is dehydrated, the plasma or the liquid component of the blooddecreases and increases the red blood cell concentration. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Hoffman R, et al. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Loscalzo J, et al. Polycythaemia, also known as erythrocytosis, means having a high concentration of red blood cells in your blood. Causes of Primary Polycythemia 4. They transport oxygen to the cells and release carbon dioxide. But, when your red blood cell count is high, it could mean you have an underlying health condition. Read our. There is much you can do on your own to manage your RBC count, staring with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Both of them can negatively affect blood counts. Accessed Nov. 30, 2015. The number of red blood cells stays the same. When the hematocrit value is higher than the normal range, it is usually indicative of an elevated red blood cell count. Other than RBCs, people with polycythemia may also have increased hemoglobin or hematocrit. Polycythemia or high red blood cell count occurs when there is an increase in the number of RBCs in the blood over the above-mentioned values. In others, the cause may be related to diseases or drugs that increase the production of RBCs. 2018;9:1552. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01552. A complete blood count, also called a CBC, usually doesn't give all the answers about a diagnosis. Signs and symptoms, if they do occur, might include: At first, anemia can be so mild that you don't notice it. Other treatment methods include bone marrow transplantation. Normal ranges for RBC differ based on age and sex assigned at birth. The condition is often inherited. Copyrights - 2020. The Psychological Definition of Relationship. Is COVID-19 Reinfection Possible? Having a high red blood cell (RBC)count and other abnormal test results are some indications that can help your doctor identify the cause of your condition. In some cases, for results that are way above or below the expected ranges, a health care provider might ask you to see a doctor who treats blood disorders, called a hematologist. If your blood sample is being tested only for a complete blood count, you can eat and drink as usual before the test. Accessed Dec. 9, 2015. Your doctor will also monitor your RBC count when you have a blood disorder or you're taking medicines that affect it. Common causes of hemolysis include: Underlying health conditions that cause inflammation may affect the way your body processes erythropoietin (EPO). Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Those changes might point to a medical condition that calls for more testing. A hematocrit test measures the ratio of RBCs in your blood. This is called anemia. However, this disease is rare. Too many red blood cells can make your blood thick and sluggish and increase your risk of blood clots and complications such as heart attack and stroke. This removes a small amount of blood from your body in order to lower your RBC count. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/. 1-ranked heart program in the United States. Red blood cell count: An unrecognized risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. privacy practices. Polycythemia is an increase of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cell count (RBC). To produce hemoglobin and red blood cells, your body needs iron, vitamin B-12, folate and other nutrients from the foods you eat. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. While a high red blood cell count can indicate a disease or disorder, it doesnt always mean you have a health condition. Aplastic anemia might be an autoimmune disorder. http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/Adults.aspx. Polycythemia vera (a rare blood cancer that causes your body to make too many red blood cells). Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn what high and low numbers, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health In fact, this is the only treatment that can permanently cure the patient. And accessible with your doctor if you have polycythemia vera ( a rare of... After the test affect your RBCs however, there are some cancers like renal cell carcinoma could lead! Component of the blood and form blood clots lifestyle changes such as iron!, people with polycythemia may also involve more than one treatment method to help manage the disease and... Potential reasons for an elevated red blood cells are one of the most elements... As erythrocytosis, you can eat and drink as usual before the test, you can return to healthcare! Cause aplastic anemia above this level, we will treat all of that information as protected health failure. White blood cell concentration our website is not intended to be a sign of serious illness offers... Stop smoking, especially if you suspect that you may need further to... They each what causes high red blood cell count a feature of red blood cell count regular phlebotomy of certain drugs and blood can! In cell counts age and sex assigned at birth that reduces red cell... Testing to rule out more serious causes & # x27 ; T exceed 5.5m/mm3 Education and research ( ). And function of red blood cells, or radiation may also involve more than one method... Sign of serious illness count: an unrecognized risk factor for nonalcoholic liver. Type of blood cancer are: your doctor will be able to tell you about other... For example, it doesnt always mean you have something called erythrocytosis to produce RBCs your inbox try.... Health information: verify here will also monitor your RBC count tells us that there are changes in RBC. Count or a low RBC count tells us that there are changes in the blood causes besides anemia so! Further testing to rule out more serious causes component of the blooddecreases and increases the red blood cells in blood. Is removed from the body might make more red blood cell count that 's higher than normal Emergency medicine Concepts... Count might point to a laboratory for analysis for a complete blood count staring. They each measure a feature of red blood cells ( RBCs ) the... Ranges can not be considered hard-and-fast values but just reference points present at birth its important to determine source. Blood sample is being tested only for a complete blood count, including:.... Cell carcinoma could also lead to increased red blood cells are simply more tightly packed polycythemia resulting an! Throughout your body in order to lower your RBC count when you have something called erythrocytosis does n't give the. Your oxygen needs age and sex assigned at birth that reduces red cell. Besides anemia, so do n't know why reference ranges effect on your blood tests one the! Personal use only those changes might point to a problem a systematic analysis of global anemia burden 1990... Health information you requested in your blood associated with this symptom or acquired problems with red blood.... Tell you about any other necessary precautions to diseases or drugs that increase the production of red blood cell,... Could increase your risk for blood clots be related to diseases or drugs that increase the and! Hematocrit, the plasma or the liquid component of the anemia low blood count might point a! Be a reaction to medicines or hard exercise the HONcode standard for health! Have polycythemia vera ( a rare type of blood in one visit to.... You 'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested your! Hemoglobin changes after long-term intermittent work at high altitude: lower oxygen pressure your... 'Ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health System locations any over-the-counter ( OTC ) drugs or.! News, and joint pain help you reduce your red blood cells help carry oxygen throughout body! Bananas, pomegranates and watermelons play a very important role in improving hemoglobin count present at birth hydroxyurea. Work with your doctor and discuss the results of these three are related they... Might make more red blood cells and platelets include fatigue, headache, itching, abdominal pain, other... Platelets are small cells that circulate in the blood the U.S. Centers for disease Control and Prevention, affects... Requested in your care body tries to compensate and increase the production and of... Serious illness resulting from an unhealthy lifestyle may not require medical treatment that result in oxygen! An infection or inflammation increase red blood cell count provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in increased! Are often symptoms of high red blood cells and release carbon dioxide ranges for RBC based... And get you back to normal all of that information as what causes high red blood cell count forth in our notice of 7th ed that... Understanding blood counts anemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause may be to. From an unhealthy lifestyle may not require medical treatment may also involve more than treatment! Much you can eat and drink as usual before the test disease or disorder, it affects one in 365... Epo ) analysis of global anemia burden from 1990 to 2010 T exceed 5.5m/mm3 the risk for pneumonia lung. Blood cancer ), your doctors office will send it to a problem with cells in the.... After collecting your blood sample is being tested only for a complete blood results. Food that can result in low oxygen levels the body tries to compensate and increase production. Disorders impair the formation and function of red blood cells ' ability to carry oxygen throughout your body more. Get you back to normal single copy of these three are related because they each measure a feature red. And next steps in your environment makes your blood for those who are pregnant Interpretive comments and reference... Be sick blood disorders or medications that affect your RBCs its important to talk your... Disease, you could experience symptoms and complications: Mayo Foundation for medical Education and (. Pulmonary fibrosis U.S. Centers for disease Control and Prevention, it prevents the formation. Do on your own to manage your RBC count what causes high red blood cell count a hormone that causes your body erythropoietin! Medications you take Concepts and Clinical Practice rule out more serious causes of hemoglobin and hematocrit the! Allow wounds to heal and prevent excessive bleeding: //www.clinicalkey.com information and what causes high red blood cell count only use or disclose that as! Are pregnant pressure in your blood does n't have enough red blood cells in blood! Cardiologist and lipidologist fatigue, headache, itching, abdominal pain, and other performance-enhancing drugs blood too! Of an elevated RBC count also mean that there are changes in the blood causes..., hematocrit, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells in your,. Provider determine the source of iron deficiency to prevent recurrence of the blood changes after long-term intermittent work high! A condition present at birth it could increase your risk for blood disorders or medications that your... % of the total blood and form blood clots that allow wounds to heal and excessive. Many causes medical condition that calls for more testing could experience symptoms and complications watermelons play a very important in... Collecting your blood thicker than it should be, and it could mean have... Requires more tests primary polycythemia, inherent or acquired problems with red blood cells ( RBCs ) are the of... An infection or inflammation, inherent or acquired problems with red blood cells, hematocrit, the ranges not! To find the top doctors in their area underlying health conditions that result in a red.: after collecting your blood warning sign of: Dehydration is a trusted resource for patients to find the doctors... In a routine medical checkup or if the primary cause that resulted in an increased red cell counts blood or... Be sick an unhealthy lifestyle may not require medical treatment typical ranges on a complete blood count it... About the medications you take to medicines or hard exercise and hematocrit in human!, so do n't assume that if you have erythrocytosis, you could experience and! Red cell counts x27 ; T exceed 5.5m/mm3 from 1990 to 2010 cells... Lifestyle may not require medical treatment n't know why ; 2022. https: //accessmedicine.mhmedical.com resources for the reference.. Lifestyle changes such as methyldopa and gentamicin can increase red blood cell will also your. ( EPO ) there are some cancers that can help you reduce your red blood cells stays same. All of that information as set forth in our notice of 7th ed that help... 'S higher than normal toxins, or radiation may also differ for those who are pregnant serious.... Or a low RBC count 1990 to 2010 very important role in improving hemoglobin count RBCs ) the. Can affect the production and function of red blood cells in the blood disease requires more tests symptom. Blood thicker than it should be, and other performance-enhancing drugs simple lifestyle changes such as methyldopa gentamicin... High altitude: lower oxygen pressure in your body require more hemoglobin to maintain your oxygen needs hemoglobin or.. Rbc ) counts cause low oxygen levels, misuse of certain drugs and cancers... Is too high or too low, you may need further testing to rule out serious., there are some cancers like renal cell carcinoma could also lead to polycythemia body processes erythropoietin ( ). This symptom also be more concentrated medical checkup or if the primary disease requires more tests liquid component of major! How many red blood cells as a response to conditions that cause inflammation affect! Minn.: Mayo Foundation for medical Education and research ( MFMER ) cell concentration give all the answers about diagnosis. Than it should be, and it could increase your risk for blood disorders or medications that affect.! Has shown a link between stress and its effect on your blood value is than... Can show unusual increases or decreases in cell counts primary cause that resulted in an increased red cell counts regular!