Additional tests will help your healthcare provider determine the cause of your high red blood cell count and next steps in your care. This happens in dehydration. But, there are things you can do to lower your risk. The blood sample is sent to a lab. Other potential reasons for an elevated RBC count include: Blood cancers can affect the production and function of red blood cells. The latest information about heart & vascular disorders, treatments, tests and prevention from the No. Is a 3.92 RBC low? This content does not have an English version. 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. Carbon monoxide exposure (usually related to smoking). Causes of Primary Polycythemia Taking performance-enhancing drugs such as. My mother is undergoing treatment for breast cancer and has low RBC count. These include: In rare cases, your bone marrow might stop making new blood cells. These might include: In some people, cancers or pre-cancers that affect the bone marrow can cause too many red blood cells to form. In primary polycythemia, inherent or acquired problems with red blood cell production lead to polycythemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency. Make sure to inform your doctor about the medications you take. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/Adults.aspx. A low white blood cell count is known as leukopenia. What should be done? A high red blood cell count can be a sign of: Dehydration. If you have an abnormal RBC count, your doctor will treat the medical condition causing the problem. This content does not have an Arabic version. Polycythemia is a rather serious blood condition, characterized as an abnormal increase in the amount of red blood cells in the circulatory system. The body might make more red blood cells as a response to conditions that result in low oxygen levels. 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. Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 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. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, but lack of other nutrients can also cause your RBC count to decrease. Red blood cell count: An unrecognized risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. * 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. Elsevier; 2023. http://www.clinicalkey.com. This makes your blood thicker than it should be, and it could increase your risk for blood clots. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. With proper treatment, a person with polycythemia or elevated red blood cell count can live for many years with mild to moderate symptoms. 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. Red blood cell count: An unrecognized risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Review/update the Anemia of inflammation or chronic disease. A few cancers are associated with a high RBC count. This causes your blood to be thicker than normal and can increase your risk of blood clots. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of If the increase in the RBCs is due to an underlying disease, then it is said to be secondary polycythemia. Aplastic anemia might be an autoimmune disorder. McGraw Hill; 2020. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. What is considered a high red blood cell count? Each type of blood cancer has a unique impact on RBC count. When the hematocrit value is higher than the normal range, it is usually indicative of an elevated red blood cell count. AskMayoExpert. Results in the following areas above or below the typical ranges on a complete blood count might point to a problem. If the numbers are higher than normal, polycythemia may be suspected. Laboratory evaluation of the immune system. AskApollo online Health Information Library is an initiative by Apollo Hospitals for general people, patients, their families and friends who seek useful health information, tips and advice on disease, procedure and certain medications to help you take care of yourself and your loved ones. Kassebaum NJ, et al. Red blood cell morphology. Polycythemia or high red blood cell count is not a disease and may result from an unhealthy lifestyle or an underlying cause. Medical conditionsthat may lead to an increase in red blood cells are: Lifestyle factorsthat cause high red blood cell count are: Some cancers can cause a high red blood cell count, such as: Getting your RBCs checked is rarely a reason you would visit a doctor as there are hardly any symptoms that indicate a change in the concentration of our red blood cells. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. However, bone marrow transplantation is used in advanced cases where the bone marrow is disturbed by the presence of myelofibrosis. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease that causes too many red blood cells to be made. EPO is a hormone that causes bone marrow to produce RBCs. If your blood sample is being tested only for a complete blood count, you can eat and drink as usual before the test. Your doctor will also monitor your RBC count when you have a blood disorder or you're taking medicines that affect it. Polycythemia is an increase of red blood cells in the blood. Answer (1 of 3): Increase in the number of red blood cells (RBCs): Erythrocytosis. Your doctor may draw out around 500 milliliters of blood in one visit. Having a high red blood cell (RBC) count means that the number of RBCs in the bloodstream is higher than normal. This can be caused by a decrease in RBC production or by the destruction or loss of RBCs. Accessed Dec. 8, 2015. This can result in thickening of the blood, slow flow of blood, and eventually blood clots. Make a donation. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. This is called phlebotomy. However, some of the most common symptoms of the condition are: At times, people with high red blood cell count do not develop any symptoms at all. This makes the blood thicker and less able to travel through blood vessels and organs. Secondary polycythemia is far more common than primary in dogs, and as mentioned, is associated with abnormal levels of erythropoietin. 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. Mostly, polycythemia itself is a symptom of an underlying disease. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. This content does not have an Arabic version. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. The results of these three are related because they each measure a feature of red blood cells. Easy & secure access! This is usually due to a problem with cells in your bone marrow. Causes of Increased Red Blood Count in Dogs Dogs with high red blood counts often may feel poorly. But when your body makes too many, it can cause your blood to thicken and slow, making you more vulnerable to blood clots. If your RBC count is too high or too low, you could experience symptoms and complications. Two main conditions that belong to this category are polycythemia vera (PV or polycythemia rubra vera [PRV]) and primary familial and congenital polycythemia (PFCP). Accessed Nov. 30, 2015. This content does not have an English version. Please enter your username and password to try again. Exercising regularly to improve heart and lung function. Erythropoietin is produced by the dog's kidneys, but to a lesser extent, even from the liver. 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. Allscripts EPSi. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. (116 to 150 grams/L). Research has shown a link between stress and its effect on your blood cells. Your email address will not be published. Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. A hematocrit test measures the ratio of RBCs in your blood. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Talk to your healthcare provider about the results of your blood test. Ask your health care provider what you need to do. These include: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For example: Most of the time, people dont know they have a high red blood cell count. For example, your RBC count may be low if you are pregnant or menstruating, or if you aren't getting enough iron in your diet. It is most often performed as part of a more comprehensive test called a complete blood cell (CBC) count. Your guide to anemia. Exercise to improve your heart and lung function. 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. Low Back Pain Caused by the Quadratus Lumborum. The blood is measured in cells per liter (cells/L) or grams per deciliter (grams/dL). They can help find out why your red blood cells are elevated, determine if you need treatment and get you on the road back to better health. Structure of the marrow and the hematopoietic microenvironment. Other treatment methods include bone marrow transplantation. Review/update the A medical condition such as an autoimmune disorder that destroys white blood cells, bone marrow problems or cancer might be the cause. Haider MZ, et al. information submitted for this request. Changes in the RBC count also mean that there are changes in the level of hemoglobin and hematocrit in the blood. 2nd ed. Anemia and polycythemia. This could be due to a disease, drug, or another cause. privacy practices. The red blood cell (RBC) count is a test that measures the number of oxygen-carrying blood cells in your blood. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. If your blood sample also will be used for other tests, you might need to fast for a certain amount of time before the test. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Frontiers in Endocrinology. Berns JS. When polycythemia is caused by problems in the process of RBC production, its called primary polycythemia. Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited. Although having a high red blood cell count doesnt always indicate a health problem, it could also be a symptom of a disease or disorder in certain cases. A sensation of completion just after you eat, or bulging or torment in your left upper midsection (in light of an extended spleen). Red blood cell counts also can be high in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. It may also be performed before a surgery. FindATopDoc is a trusted resource for patients to find the top doctors in their area. Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing iron intake, exercising regularly, quitting smoking can do the job and get you back to normal . Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Please consult your healthcare provider for the interpretation of your test results. bananas, pomegranates and watermelons play a very important role in improving hemoglobin count. For a complete blood count, a member of the health care team takes a sample of blood by putting a needle into a vein in your arm, usually at the bend in your elbow. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Theres typically no special preparation needed for this test. Many cancers actually cause your red blood cells to drop. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. 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. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could This includes : The treatment is driven by the root cause. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. http://www.clinicalkey.com. There can be variations between the reference range and numbers reported by each laboratory that conducts the test. It's used to look at overall health and find a wide range of conditions, including anemia, infection and leukemia. Click here, Need to login as a patient? Learn about polycythemia causes, treatment, life expectancy, types, and more. 8th ed. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. CBC with differential, blood. Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI,is a board-certified preventive cardiologist and lipidologist. 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