If you have this medical condition, it means that your bone marrow is producing too many red blood cells. Be visible and accessible with your up to date contact EPO is produced in the kidneys. This way, your healthcare provider can find the cause and determine if treatment is necessary. privacy practices. 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. Simple Facebook login. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Learn about polycythemia causes, treatment, life expectancy, types, and more. One such condition is polycythemia vera, a bone marrow disease that causes overproduction of RBCs and is associated with a genetic mutation. These blood cells are formed in the red bone marrow. Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Sometimes we also talk about polycythemia vera (primary and secondary). Click here, Need to login as a patient? "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. If your blood sample is being tested only for a complete blood count, you can eat and drink as usual before the test. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2021). If you have a high red blood cell count, then you have something called erythrocytosis. 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. Without iron supplementation, this type of anemia occurs in many pregnant women. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. To produce hemoglobin and red blood cells, your body needs iron, vitamin B-12, folate and other nutrients from the foods you eat. 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. Secondary erythrocytosis is when an external factor increases your RBC count. This causes your blood to be thicker than normal and can increase your risk of blood clots. Healthcare providers measure your red blood cell count to diagnose medical conditions and learn more about your health. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. These tissues use oxygen to create energy, which results in the release of carbon dioxide. (2020). A complete blood count test measures the following: Red blood cells, which carry oxygen White blood cells, which fight infection Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells My mother is undergoing treatment for breast cancer and has low RBC count. Learn what high and low numbers, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. 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 . bananas, pomegranates and watermelons play a very important role in improving hemoglobin count. They transport oxygen to the cells and release carbon dioxide. 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. Apples are a delicious and suitable option when it comes to . Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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. There is a problem with A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an Arabic version. If phlebotomies dont work, your doctor may prescribe hydroxyurea (Hydrea or Droxia) to reduce your RBC count. 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. Its only discovered when they undergo blood tests for something else. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. Results outside the expected range may or may not need follow-up. However, the red blood cells are simply more tightly packed. How to treat elevated red blood cell count? Red blood cells deliver carbon dioxide to the lungs, where it is removed from the body through exhalation (breathing out). Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. They can also result in unusual RBC levels. Review/update the This causes the body to make more red blood cells. Anemia. Fatigue has many causes besides anemia, so don't assume that if you're tired you must be anemic. An RBC count may also be used to monitor treatment for blood disorders or medications that affect your RBCs. Other conditions can cause the body to make more red blood cells than it needs. What cancers cause high red blood cell count? 2021; doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.760981. 21st ed. 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. Walls RM, et al., eds. Red blood cell count: An unrecognized risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. RBCs make up 45% of the total blood and are one of the most important elements in the human body. Polycythemia is an increase of red blood cells in the blood. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to body tissues. Diagnostic approach to the patient with polycythemia. If you have chronic kidney disease, you might produce less EPO than normal. Make a donation. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. It is important to note that treatment does not permanently cure polycythemia, but it slows its progression and reduces its complications. Akunov A, Sydykov A, Toktash T, Doolotova A, Sarybaev A. Hemoglobin changes after long-term intermittent work at high altitude. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. By Amber J. Tresca McGraw Hill; 2022. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Not necessarily. They have a protein called Hemoglobin that transports oxygen from our lungs to all body organs and brings carbon dioxide back to lungs, which is then exhaled. Signs and symptoms, if they do occur, might include: Fatigue Weakness Pale or yellowish skin Irregular heartbeats Shortness of breath Dizziness or lightheadedness Chest pain Cold hands and feet Headaches At first, anemia can be so mild that you don't notice it. It is wise to get an annual checkup done even if you feel completely healthy. Your treatment will depend on whats causing your anemia. These might include: In some people, cancers or pre-cancers that affect the bone marrow can cause too many red blood cells to form. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Anemia and polycythemia. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/diagnosing-cancer/reports-and-results/understanding-your-complete-blood-count-cbc-tests. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Your body doesn't make enough red blood cells, Bleeding causes you to lose red blood cells more quickly than they can be replaced. A red . Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. You might be able to prevent some types of anemia by eating a healthy, varied diet. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Although the condition has no cure, there are treatments that can help manage the disease and its complications. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. If we combine this information with your protected People who are undergoing cancer treatment are also required to have a regular CBC since radiation therapy or chemotherapy tends to decrease the production of all blood cells in the bone marrow. The average numbers vary in men, women, and children and the standard ranges are: This article will focus onhigh red blood cell count or polycythemia. Red blood cell counts also can be high in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. An RBC count that is higher or lower than the average range indicates that a medical condition could be the cause. This is because when you are at a higher altitude, your body creates more red blood cells so that more oxygen can be carried to your tissues. Doctors can use CBCs to monitor conditions like leukemia and infections of the blood. This is called anemia. When the RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit count are below the established normal range, the patient is said to be anemic. You can ask your doctor and discuss the results of your blood tests. A high red blood cell count may indicate that you have a condition that's preventing you from getting enough oxygen. Book An Appointment.no-styles{background-color:transparent !important;}. The main job of red blood cells is to move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Your email address will not be published. Carbon monoxide exposure (usually related to smoking). include protected health information. Women: RBC count shouldn't exceed 5.5m/mm3. Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. A high red blood cell count means the number of red blood cells in your bloodstream is higher than normal. Common causes of hemolysis include: Underlying health conditions that cause inflammation may affect the way your body processes erythropoietin (EPO). 2013;35(3):351-357. doi:10.1111/ijlh.12082. The body tries to compensate and increase the production of red blood cells for any medical condition that can cause low oxygen levels. In primary polycythemia, inherent or acquired problems with red blood cell production lead to polycythemia. In most cases, anemia has more than one cause. High red blood cell count or erythrocytosis is when the number of red blood cell count exceeds a certain level. What is considered a high red blood cell count? information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Refer to your child's laboratory report for the reference ranges. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. CBC with differential, blood. This is usually due to a problem with cells in your bone marrow. Make an appointment with your doctor if you feel fatigued and you don't know why. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with 2.75. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Changes in the RBC count also mean that there are changes in the level of hemoglobin and hematocrit in the blood. A few cancers are associated with a high RBC count. 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. Also, being at high altitudes may cause reticulocyte counts to rise, to help you adjust to the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. But symptoms worsen as anemia worsens. 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 Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Last medically reviewed on February 16, 2022. 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. Polycythemia vera (a rare blood cancer that causes your body to make too many red blood cells). Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. 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. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Each red blood cell contains hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein. National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. What are the symptoms of high red blood cell count? You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Butte MJ. 2021; doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.760981. Front Physiol. read on to find more. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Rarely, in some kidney cancers or after kidney transplant, the kidneys might produce too much of the hormone erythropoietin. 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. This content does not have an English version. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which But if the cause is a nutritional deficiency, medication use, or a chronic condition, there may be things you can do to not only improve your blood count but your overall health too. A red blood cell count is a blood test that your doctor uses to find out how many red blood cells (RBCs) you have. 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