Low oxygen levels, misuse of certain drugs and blood cancers can cause a high red blood cell count. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Mayo Medical Laboratories. Red blood cells are essential for life. Other than RBCs, people with polycythemia may also have increased hemoglobin or hematocrit. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. But you should tell your doctor if youre taking medications. Yes dehydration increases the number of red blood cells. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. If we combine this information with your protected Learn what high and low numbers, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Required fields are marked *. "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 healthcare provider can run a number of tests to determine how many red blood cells are in your blood. Stress can lead to an increase in red blood cells, neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and platelets. You can have elevated red blood cell count for months or years without noticing it. Red blood cell counts also can be high in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. When to see a doctor Walls RM, et al., eds. (132 to 166 grams/L), Female: 11.6 to 15 grams/dL Low oxygen levels The body might make more red blood cells as a response to conditions that result in low oxygen levels. Diagnostic approach to the patient with polycythemia. A high red blood cell count may be a symptom of a disease or disorder. Rarely, in some kidney cancers or after kidney transplant, the kidneys might produce too much of the hormone erythropoietin. Mosby's Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference, 12th edition. Polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease that causes too many red blood cells to be made. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). If you have a high red blood cell count, its important to talk to your healthcare provider. It may also be performed before a surgery. Low oxygen levels, misuse of certain drugs and blood cancers can cause a high red blood cell count. (May 2018)https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17810-high-red-blood-cell-count, Polycythemia Vera. All rights reserved. If your number of RBCs is lower than normal, you have anemia. What is the most common cause of high red blood cell count? What is considered a high red blood cell count? This content does not have an English version. Make a donation. Accessed Dec. 8, 2015. Many medical conditions are also associated with a high white blood cell count, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel . A complete blood count, or CBC, measures several components of your blood and can help diagnose a broad range of conditions, from anemia and to cancer. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. There is a problem with McGraw Hill; 2020. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. This is called anemia. RBC ranges are measured in terms of cells per microliter (L). To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Anemia and polycythemia. The body might make more red blood cells as a response to conditions that result in low oxygen levels. An abnormal RBC test result is often the first sign of an illness. Additional tests will help your healthcare provider determine the cause of your high red blood cell count and next steps in your care. Your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health High red blood cell count doesn't always indicate a health problem, it could also be a symptom of a disease or disorder in certain cases. All rights reserved. Results outside the expected range may or may not need follow-up. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. Anemia can make you feel tired, cold, dizzy, and irritable. Review/update the information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Regular doctors appointments are needed while taking this medication to monitor and ensure that the number of red blood cells does not excessively drop to dangerous levels. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. 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. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Blood Cancers & Disorders support group on Mayo Clinic Connect, a patient community. 2.75. The number of red blood cells stays the same. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Be visible and accessible with your up to date contact Accessed Nov. 30, 2015. Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, Hematocrit, the amount of red blood cells in the blood. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. The Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) Blood Test, How Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Is Staged, Complete Blood Count (CBC) Normals and Abnormals, Red Blood Cell Membrane Disorders: What to Know, Hemoglobin changes after long-term intermittent work at high altitude, Misuse of performance-enhancing drugs that stimulate RBC production, such as, Renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, Drug side effects, including chemotherapy, Deficiency of erythropoietin, a kidney hormone that promotes RBC growth, Hemolysis, the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells, Platelets (PLT), the cells responsible for blood clotting. The condition is often inherited. New England Journal of Medicine. 6th ed. 1). Elsevier; 2023. http://www.clinicalkey.com. What cancers cause high red blood cell count? How to diagnose high red blood cell count? Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. A high RBC count could be caused by a number of health conditions or health-related factors, including: smoking congenital heart disease dehydration (for example, from severe diarrhoea) low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia) pulmonary fibrosis (a lung condition that causes scarring of the lungs) http://www.uptodate.com/home. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). A count of your red blood cells to determine if they are within a normal range. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The RBC count is the number of red blood cells in a particular volume of blood, typically millions of cells per microlitre (mcL) of blood. Participate in Health Journeys in over 100 specialty communities. When there is an overproduction of red blood cells, blood becomes abnormally thicker, making people more prone to developing blood clots. read on to find more. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. A complete blood count, also called a CBC, usually doesn't give all the answers about a diagnosis. Too many red blood cells can also indicate certain health conditions and disorders. Accessed Dec. 4, 2015. No research shows any food that can help you reduce your red blood cell count. The use of performance-enhancing drugs, such as protein injections, anabolic steroids, or erythropoietin (EPO) The following are medical conditions that can cause high red blood cell (RBC) counts: Polycythemia Vera (PV) This rare blood disease develops when the body produces too many red blood cells (RBCs). Int Jnl Lab Hem. Sign Up For The Latest Healthy Living Updates. Lifestyle and health factors can also cause an increase in the red blood cell count. Other factors like living at a high altitude can also have an impact on your red blood cell count. Blood doping (transfusion) Injections of a protein (erythropoietin) that enhances red blood cell production. They transport oxygen to the cells and release carbon dioxide. Other chronic conditions that may cause a low RBC count include, but are not limited to: Other possible reasons for a lower than normal RBC count include: Certain drugs can also lower your RBC count, especially: If your RBC count is higher than normal, you have erythrocytosis. (July 2018)https://labtestsonline.org/tests/red-blood-cell-count-rbc, Understanding Blood Counts. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. However, there are some cancers that can result in a high red blood cell count, including: Polycythemia vera (a rare blood cancer that causes your body to make too many red blood cells). How can I treat my sciatica pain with physical therapy? 2014;123:615. They can also result in unusual RBC levels. High altitude: Lower oxygen pressure in your environment makes your body require more hemoglobin to maintain your oxygen needs. Tefferi A. Exercising regularly to improve heart and lung function. If phlebotomies dont work, your doctor may prescribe hydroxyurea (Hydrea or Droxia) to reduce your RBC count. Polycythemia is an increase of red blood cells in the blood. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. What are the risks of getting an RBC count? There is a problem with This happens in dehydration. Low RBC counts are those below 4.7 for men, 4.2 for women, and 4.1 for children. A complete blood count is a common blood test done for many reasons: There is a problem with These symptoms may be due to the anemia itself or the cause of anemia. Mostly, polycythemia itself is a symptom of an underlying disease. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with As with any blood test, theres a risk of bleeding, bruising, or infection at the puncture site. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Its also known as an erythrocyte count. Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing iron intake, exercising regularly, quitting smoking can do the job and get you back to normal . Resources for the hematologist: Interpretive comments and selective reference values for neonatal, pediatric and adult populations. Hemoglobin contains 65% of the bodys iron stores. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which How to Raise Hematocrit: Natural techniques & Measurements, Eosinophils: low, high, absolute count and normal range, causes, Basophils: definition, function, absolute count, low, high and normal range, Low Red Blood Cell Count: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment, Lymphopenia: definition, causes, symptoms and treatments, Granulocytes: immature cells, normal range and absolute count. Treatment for PV may also involve more than one treatment method to help manage the disease. These conditions can lead to a shortage of red blood cells. Polycythemia or high red blood cell count is not a disease and may result from an unhealthy lifestyle or an underlying cause. Changes in the RBC count also mean that there are changes in the level of hemoglobin and hematocrit in the blood. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=358§ionid=39835818. 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