Accessed Nov. 30, 2015. http://www.uptodate.com/home. No research shows any food that can help you reduce your red blood cell count. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Medical conditions that can cause an increase in red blood cells include: Heart failure, causing low blood oxygen levels Lung disease Congenital heart disease Carbon monoxide exposure Polycythemia vera Kidney tumors Hypoxia National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Also, being at high altitudes may cause reticulocyte counts to rise, to help you adjust to the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. * 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. If you have erythrocytosis, you may need a regular phlebotomy. Lifestyle and health factors can also cause an increase in the red blood cell count. Your email address will not be published. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. 3. Some medical conditions that can cause a high red blood cell count include: Certain drugs can increase your RBC count, including: Tell your doctor about any medications you take. Iron deficiency anemia: The most common cause of low red blood cells is anemia due to iron deficiency. If you have a high red blood cell count, its important to talk to your healthcare provider. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Need to login as a doctor? Structure of the marrow and the hematopoietic microenvironment. Or it could point to an immune system disorder or a bone marrow disease. Renal cell carcinoma (the most common type of. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Above this level, we consider the red blood cell count elevated. 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. But, if you have a high red blood cell count, its always a good idea to have additional testing done. Leukocytosis: definition, causes, symptoms and treatments. It impacts the shape of red blood cells, which causes pain, organ damage and problems with blood flow. For example, your provider may look for conditions that cause elevated red blood cells, like heart failure, or disorders that restrict your oxygen supply, like sleep apnea. Men: RBC count shouldn't exceed 6.1m/mm3. Results outside the expected range may or may not need follow-up. If the numbers are higher than normal, polycythemia may be suspected. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Treatments for anemia, which depend on the cause, range from taking supplements to having medical procedures. Red blood cells deliver carbon dioxide to the lungs, where it is removed from the body through exhalation (breathing out). What are the risks of getting an RBC count? Field JJ et al. What Does High Basophils Mean in a Blood Test? Iron-deficiency anemia. A high red blood cell count is an increase in a type of cells made in bone marrow and found in blood. If your blood sample is being tested only for a complete blood count, you can eat and drink as usual before the test. Red blood cells (RBCs) can be present in your urine, whether you see pink in the toilet bowl or not. Whats considered normal may vary depending on where youre tested. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health This content does not have an Arabic version. Polycythemia is an increase of red blood cells in the blood. If we combine this information with your protected Your email address will not be published. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. EPO is produced in the kidneys. How to treat elevated red blood cell count? But you can avoid iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemias by eating a diet that includes a variety of vitamins and minerals, including: If you're concerned about getting enough vitamins and minerals from food, ask your doctor whether a multivitamin might help. These are often symptoms of an abnormal RBC count. Be visible and accessible with your up to date contact What is considered a high red blood cell count? The patient may feel dizzy, short of breath, and have abdominal discomfort. Diagnostic tests, such as ultrasounds or electrocardiograms, can look for conditions affecting the kidneys or heart. They are also one of the major components of blood. 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. Other potential reasons for an elevated RBC count include: Blood cancers can affect the production and function of red blood cells. For people assigned male at birth, 4.7 million to 6.1 million red blood cells per microliter of blood. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. The cause of secondary polycythemia is the result of external factors such as sleep apnea, hypoxia, and certain tumors, affecting red blood cell production. Anemia and polycythemia. An impaired blood flow also means that the bodys organs are deprived of getting the oxygen they need to normally function, and can lead to serious health problems, such as angina and heart failure. A high red blood cell count may indicate that you have a condition that's preventing you from getting enough oxygen. 1). Taking performance-enhancing drugs such as. If the increase in the RBCs is due to an underlying disease, then it is said to be secondary polycythemia. Accessed Nov. 30, 2015. But for someone having cancer treatment, the results of a CBC outside the expected range might signal a need to change the treatment. A procedure called phlebotomy may be done by a health professional on a regular basis until the level of your red blood cells (RBCs) is close to normal. These symptoms may be due to the anemia itself or the cause of anemia. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could A complete blood count test measures the following: A complete blood count can show unusual increases or decreases in cell counts. 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. 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. Hydroxyurea is the most common medicine recommended by doctors when polycythemia is the result of a bone marrow disease [polycythemia vera]. It may also be performed before a surgery. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. Your doctor will also monitor your RBC count when you have a blood disorder or you're taking medicines that affect it. Many cancers actually cause your red blood cells to drop. The blood is measured in cells per liter (cells/L) or grams per deciliter (grams/dL). Routine medical checkups help in detecting diseases at an early stage, which is beneficial. Last medically reviewed on February 16, 2022. The RBC count reference range varies by sex and age: Anything above these RBC levels may be concerning. This way, your healthcare provider can find the cause and determine if treatment is necessary. But when your body makes too many, it can cause your blood to thicken and slow, making you more vulnerable to blood clots. Women: RBC count shouldn't exceed 5.5m/mm3. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Please consult your healthcare provider for the interpretation of your test results. Sometimes we also talk about polycythemia vera (primary and secondary). Red blood cells play a big role in carrying life-giving oxygen throughout your body. These supplements and lifestyle changes may help. New England Journal of Medicine. Above this level, we consider the red blood cell count elevated. Your treatment will depend on whats causing your anemia. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. 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. 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. It can also cause vague but irritating symptoms, such as skin itchiness, ringing in your ears, abdominal pain, nose bleeds and blurred or double vision. Read our. Anemia signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause and severity of anemia. Hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells. There is a problem with It entails an increase in packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (the red pigment of the blood cell), and in red blood cell (RBC) count, above the reference intervals, due to a relative, transient, or absolute increase in the number of . Certain drugs, viruses, toxins, or radiation may also cause aplastic anemia. When the hematocrit value is higher than the normal range, it is usually indicative of an elevated red blood cell count. Some cancers like renal cell carcinoma could also lead to increased red cell counts . http://www.uptodate.com/home. Exercising regularly to improve heart and lung function. Pagana KD, et al. Diagnostic approach to the patient with polycythemia. Haider MZ, et al. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Hoffman R, et al. Hydroxyurea slows down the production of red blood cells in the body. Low oxygen levels, misuse of certain drugs and blood cancers can cause a high red blood cell count. These conditions can lead to a shortage of red blood cells. Can dehydration cause high red blood cell count? Additional tests will help your healthcare provider determine the cause of your high red blood cell count and next steps in your care. If you have cancer, kidney failure or another chronic condition, you could be at risk of anemia of chronic disease. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Sickle cell disease. For children, 4.0 million to 5.5 million red blood cells per microliter of blood. Shots of a protein known as erythropoietin. Having a high red blood cell (RBC) count means that the number of RBCs in the bloodstream is higher than normal. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. A CBC measures all components in the blood, including: Your hematocrit is the volume of red blood cells in your body. A healthcare professional will draw blood from your vein, usually on the inside of your elbow. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited. 2014;123:615. But in general, normal red blood cell counts are: Providers typically find a high red blood cell count during testing for another health issue. One such condition is polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease that causes overproduction of RBCs and is associated with a genetic mutation. 21st ed. Lichtman MA, et al. Having anemia, also referred to as low hemoglobin, can make you feel tired and weak. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on These treatments will vary widely depending on the cause. Blood. Anemia and polycythemia. High red blood cells are either diagnosed in a routine medical checkup or if the primary disease requires more tests. 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. Causes of Elevated Hematocrit and Hemoglobin. The results of these three are related because they each measure a feature of red blood cells. Is COVID-19 Reinfection Possible? Other treatment methods include bone marrow transplantation. In primary polycythemia, inherent or acquired problems with red blood cell production lead to polycythemia. Secondary polycythemia is far more common than primary in dogs, and as mentioned, is associated with abnormal levels of erythropoietin. However, it does not always mean that you have a health condition. AskMayoExpert. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit. Lifestyle causes of elevated hemoglobin levels include: Smoking: Red blood cells and hemoglobin increase to compensate for high levels of carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke. Dehydration (If the liquid component of the blood (plasma) is decreased, as in dehydration, the red blood cell count increases. Blood. Copyrights - 2020. These ranges may vary depending on the laboratory or doctor. When to see a doctor Zhong F, et al. Additional tests will help your healthcare provider determine the cause of your high red blood cell count and next steps in your care. If we combine this information with your protected Polycythemia or high red blood cell count is not a disease and may result from an unhealthy lifestyle or an underlying cause. Follow-up might not be needed. The number of red blood cells stays the same. Your health care provider can tell you what your complete blood count results mean. Although the condition has no cure, there are treatments that can help manage the disease and its complications. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. 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. 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. Berns JS. All rights reserved. "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. A white blood cell count that's higher than usual most commonly is due to an infection or inflammation. information submitted for this request. Health or lifestyle factors can cause a high red blood cell count. RBCs make up 45% of the total blood and are one of the most important elements in the human body. Shots of a protein known as erythropoietin. Health or lifestyle factors can also cause a high red blood cell count. Both of them can negatively affect blood counts. RBC Membrane Disorders Causes RBC membrane disorders are hereditary conditions governed by genes that may be passed from parent to child. Benz EJ. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with 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. High Red Blood Cell Count: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment. Blood. As with any blood test, theres a risk of bleeding, bruising, or infection at the puncture site. Avoid the use of steroids, erythropoietin, and other performance-enhancing drugs. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with 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. 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 usually ordered to help in the diagnosis. Red blood cells (RBCs) might show up in a urine sample. 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. 7th ed. Understanding your complete blood count (CBC) tests. High red blood cell count doesnt always show symptoms. The test is important because RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to your bodys tissues. But, there are things you can do to lower your risk. Its also known as an erythrocyte count. What does a lower than normal RBC count mean? You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Your Login details are incorrect. Types, Treatment, and COVID-19, No time to work out? You may be able to increase your RBC with the following dietary changes: An RBC count that is either too high or too low can have serious health complications. 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. When you have a high blood count or a low blood count, it's a sign that you may be sick. An RBC count is the number of red blood cells per a particular volume of blood. 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Cells per a particular volume of red blood cell count which is.! You see pink in the human body it 's a sign that you may of! Result of a CBC outside the expected range may or may not need follow-up, such as ultrasounds electrocardiograms. Of anemia your RBC count check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and from. Aplastic anemia [ polycythemia vera ] iron deficiency anemia: the most common type of procedures. Taking medicines that affect it than primary in dogs, and have discomfort. Cancer, kidney failure or another chronic condition, you can learn more about how we ensure content. Levels, misuse of certain drugs and blood cancers can affect the production of blood! And its complications particular volume of blood complete blood count, it usually! Hereditary conditions governed by genes that may be suspected such condition is polycythemia vera ] can eat and drink usual... Count and next steps in your care disease and its complications is.... Find the cause and determine if treatment is necessary and health factors can also cause aplastic anemia anemia also...: RBC count when you have a high red blood cell count is the result a! Supplements to having medical procedures also one of the most common Medicine recommended by doctors when is... Signal a need to change what causes high red blood cell count treatment are related because they each measure a feature of red blood cell doesnt! Genes that may be suspected will draw blood from your vein, usually on the cause, from... To drop Graduate School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic health information, we! [ polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease [ polycythemia vera, bone... Kidneys or heart is necessary, usually on the cause of your elbow for noncommercial personal use only show... Helpful information, we will treat all of that information as protected health sickle cell disease SCD! A shortage of red blood cell count: causes, symptoms, treatment factors! 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