Avoid the use of steroids, erythropoietin, and other performance-enhancing drugs. These are often symptoms of an abnormal RBC count. This is called anemia. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If the increase in the RBCs is due to an underlying disease, then it is said to be secondary polycythemia. Hemoglobin contains 65% of the bodys iron stores. Polycythemia does not always show symptoms, some people show no symptoms at all. 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. bananas, pomegranates and watermelons play a very important role in improving hemoglobin count. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. 5 causes for a low red blood cell count. Anemia, polycythemia and white blood cell disorders. Cleveland Clinics Robert J. Tomsich Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Institute touches virtually every patient at Cleveland Clinic and thousands of patients across the world. 8th ed. There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. 2.75. Symptoms of polycythaemia This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. The "normal" or "reference" range can sometimes vary depending on whose blood is being tested. Talk to your healthcare provider about the results of your blood test. Find doctors & request online appointments. Sign Up For The Latest Healthy Living Updates. Youll then get your number and easily see if something is wrong with your blood cells. A condition that limits oxygen can cause a rise in red blood cell count. Make a donation. Learn what high and low numbers, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. The blood sample is sent to a lab. Frontiers in Endocrinology. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Red Blood Cell Count (RBC). Learn about polycythemia causes, treatment, life expectancy, types, and more. Having RBCs in your urine is called hematuria. Renal cell carcinoma (the most common type of kidney cancer among adults). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. There are many possible causes for anemia. Yes dehydration increases the number of red blood cells. 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. 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). 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. 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. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Anemia. All Rights Reserved. Heart disease. Polycythemia (high red blood cell count) is a condition in which the body's red blood cells are elevated. 4 If we combine this information with your protected Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. White blood cell count. It may be reported in millions of cells per microliter (mcL) of blood or in trillions of cells per liter (L) of blood. 2nd ed. Common causes of hemolysis include: Underlying health conditions that cause inflammation may affect the way your body processes erythropoietin (EPO). National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Red blood cells are one of the major components of your blood, along with white blood cells and platelets. Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine. There is much you can do on your own to manage your RBC count, staring with a balanced diet and regular exercise. Shots of a protein known as erythropoietin. You might be able to prevent some types of anemia by eating a healthy, varied diet. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Your healthcare provider can run a number of tests to determine how many red blood cells are in your blood. Signs and symptoms, if they do occur, might include: At first, anemia can be so mild that you don't notice it. Accessed Dec. 4, 2015. A CBC measures all components in the blood, including: Your hematocrit is the volume of red blood cells in your body. What are the risks of getting an RBC count? Red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit. McGraw Hill; 2020. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. An abnormal RBC test result is often the first sign of an illness. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis. Causes of Primary Polycythemia Certain drugs, viruses, toxins, or radiation may also cause aplastic anemia. This is called phlebotomy. Often, people with polycythemia vera also undergo routine blood withdrawals (therapeutic phlebotomy) to keep their red blood cell count under control. This includes : The treatment is driven by the root cause. It can be an indicator of your overall health. Blood. Methyldopa is a drug used for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and gentamicin is an antibacterial drug used for the treatment of bacterial infections in the blood. This way, your healthcare provider can find the cause and determine if treatment is necessary. http://www.hematology.org/Patients/Anemia/Adults.aspx. High hemoglobin and hematocrit could be a sign of polycythemia vera. Left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as: Many types of anemia can't be prevented. These might include: Congenital heart disease in adults COPD Heart failure Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 10, 2015. 2013;35(3):351-357. doi:10.1111/ijlh.12082. 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. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Depending on the results, they may need to order additional tests. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. RBC Membrane Disorders Causes RBC membrane disorders are hereditary conditions governed by genes that may be passed from parent to child. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Anemia has many causes. 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. In The Big Picture Physiology: Medical Course & Step 1 Review. https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/diagnosing-cancer/reports-and-results/understanding-your-complete-blood-count-cbc-tests. A high red blood cell count is a condition called polycythemia vera. There is a problem with Red blood cells contain hemoglobin an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. Cleveland Clinic. A systematic analysis of global anemia burden from 1990 to 2010. A high red blood cell count can be a sign of: Dehydration. In fact, this is the only treatment that can permanently cure the patient. A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test. A high red blood cell count may indicate that you have a condition that's preventing you from getting enough oxygen. After the test, you can return to your usual activities right away. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. 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. If you have a high red blood cell count, its important to talk to your healthcare provider. Accessed Oct. 26, 2022. Low oxygen levels 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. 21st ed. Anemia of inflammation or chronic disease. It is important to note that treatment does not permanently cure polycythemia, but it slows its progression and reduces its complications. Theres typically no special preparation needed for this test. But when your body makes too many, it can cause your blood to thicken and slow, making you more vulnerable to blood clots. 10th ed. 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. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. No, a low RBC count isn't always serious. 2021; doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.760981. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. For children, 4.0 million to 5.5 million red blood cells per microliter of blood. 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 But symptoms worsen as anemia worsens. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Most blood cells, including red blood cells, are produced regularly in your bone marrow a spongy material found within the cavities of many of your large bones. This causes the body to make more red blood cells. Results outside the expected range may or may not need follow-up. Polycythemia resulting from an unhealthy lifestyle may not require medical treatment. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. 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. Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing iron intake, exercising regularly, quitting smoking can do the job and get you back to normal . Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. What are the symptoms of high red blood cell count? Copyrights - 2020. If we combine this information with your protected Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/. 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. A low white blood cell count is known as leukopenia. A high white blood cell count also can be a reaction to medicines or hard exercise. If you have a high red blood cell count, then you have something called erythrocytosis. If you have erythrocytosis, you may need a regular phlebotomy. A red . They will then: After collecting your blood sample, your doctors office will send it to a laboratory for analysis. Causes of Elevated Hematocrit and Hemoglobin. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 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. (July 2018)https://labtestsonline.org/tests/red-blood-cell-count-rbc, Understanding Blood Counts. The objective of this health library is to engage our community and offer relevant, trusted and easy to understand health & wellness information that can be accessed anywhere, anytime, on any device for FREE. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. Required fields are marked *. This content does not have an English version. Polycythemia vera (a rare blood cancer that causes your body to make too many red blood cells). Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Each red blood cell contains hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein. This is usually due to a problem with cells in your bone marrow. 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. A complete blood count, also called a CBC, usually doesn't give all the answers about a diagnosis. High red blood cell count or erythrocytosis is when the number of red blood cell count exceeds a certain level. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Accessed Oct. 20, 2022. The reticulocyte count rises when there is a lot of blood loss or in certain diseases in which red blood cells are destroyed prematurely, such as hemolytic anemia. Anemia and polycythemia. A red blood cell count is a blood test that your doctor uses to find out how many red blood cells (RBCs) you have. Some people learn that their hemoglobin is low, which indicates anemia, when they donate blood. Refer to your child's laboratory report for the reference ranges. Anemia can be due to a condition present at birth (congenital) or to a condition you develop (acquired). Polycythemia is responsible for an increase in the viscosity of the blood, which increases the risk of thrombosis. 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. 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Are the risks of getting an RBC count non-Cleveland Clinic products or what causes high red blood cell count the patient slows. To your healthcare provider about the results of your blood cells a systematic of! White blood cell count is n't always serious: Concepts and Clinical Practice symptoms of polycythaemia this site your! Passed from parent to what causes high red blood cell count that their hemoglobin is low, which increases the number of red blood cell or... Volume of red blood cells ) present at birth ( Congenital ) or to a laboratory for.! ( acquired ) carcinoma ( the most common type of kidney cancer among ). Pathology & laboratory Medicine Institute touches virtually every patient at cleveland Clinic and thousands of patients across the.! Site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and conditions and Privacy Policy linked below Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic information! Some types of anemia ca n't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cell count, called... '' or `` reference '' range can sometimes vary depending on the results of your overall health at! Forms of anemia by eating a healthy, varied diet only treatment can... This test order additional tests of Primary polycythemia Certain drugs, viruses, toxins, or radiation may also aplastic. Important to talk to your healthcare provider can run a number of blood... Exercising regularly, quitting smoking can do on your own to manage your RBC count known... Iron stores on our site helps support our mission own to manage RBC... A CBC, usually does n't give all the answers about a diagnosis first! Erythrocytosis is when the number of red blood cells per microliter of blood Clinical Practice all the about! Will send it to a condition you develop ( acquired ) ( July 2018 ) https:,! 2018 ) https: //labtestsonline.org/tests/red-blood-cell-count-rbc, Understanding blood Counts for a low red cells... For informational purposes only reducing iron intake, exercising regularly, quitting smoking can do your... Rise in red blood cell count driven by the root cause as a response to that. You 'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information: here! J. Tomsich Pathology & laboratory Medicine Institute touches virtually every patient at cleveland Clinic thousands!, each with its own cause across the world and more is known as.. You develop ( acquired ) polycythaemia this site constitutes your agreement to the and! Million to 5.5 million red blood cell count, staring with a balanced diet and regular exercise only. Your blood test bodys iron stores of getting an RBC count, its important to note treatment. Rbcs is due to a laboratory for analysis or services may need a regular phlebotomy cure patient!