what causes high red blood cell count

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which 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. In most cases, anemia has more than one cause. A CBC measures all components in the blood, including: Your hematocrit is the volume of red blood cells in your body. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. 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. Anemia can be temporary or long term and can range from mild to severe. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition, Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). This will help slow your bodys production of red blood cells. 4 Carbon monoxide exposure (usually related to smoking). information highlighted below and resubmit the form. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Additional tests will help your healthcare provider determine the cause of your high red blood cell count and next steps in your care.25 Apr 2022. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Can you describe situational depression to me? Leukocytosis: definition, causes, symptoms and treatments. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2014. 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) The red blood cell (RBC) count is a test that measures the number of oxygen-carrying blood cells in your blood. Yasmine S. Ali, MD, MSCI,is a board-certified preventive cardiologist and lipidologist. Red blood cells (RBCs), also called erythrocytes, are the cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. 2018;9:1552. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01552. Laboratory evaluation of the immune system. High red blood cell count or erythrocytosis is when the number of red blood cell count exceeds a certain level. Tefferi A. (2020). Red blood cell count: An unrecognized risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In people with bone marrow disease or polycythemia vera, healthcare providers may prescribe hydroxyurea, which is an anticancer medication that can help slow down the production of red blood cells in the body. But, when your red blood cell count is high, it could mean you have an underlying health condition. Also, being at high altitudes may cause reticulocyte counts to rise, to help you adjust to the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes. 10th ed. Babies and Children: In babies, the number of red blood cells is about 5.8 million/mm3 and the hemoglobin is about 13 to 16 g/dl. Its only discovered when they undergo blood tests for something else. Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing iron intake, exercising regularly, quitting smoking can do the job and get you back to normal . People with anemia might feel weak or tired. 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. Low oxygen levels, misuse of certain drugs and blood cancers can cause a high red blood cell count. These might include: In some people, cancers or pre-cancers that affect the bone marrow can cause too many red blood cells to form. If you do have a low RBC count, however, you may need further testing to rule out more serious causes. and Polycythemia Polycythemia (increase in the absolute number of blood cells) is either a very serious condition or one that is not so serious. This causes the body to make more red blood cells. This causes your blood to be thicker than normal and can increase your risk of blood clots. 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. Function of red blood cells. Blood smears can help detect abnormalities in the blood cells (such as sickle cell anemia), white blood cell disorders such as leukemia, and bloodborne parasites like malaria. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 4. Accessed Nov. 30, 2015. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Exercise to improve your heart and lung function. A high red blood cell count means the number of red blood cells in your bloodstream is higher than normal. Riggin EA. For children, 4.0 million to 5.5 million red blood cells per microliter of blood. 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. other information we have about you. For people assigned male at birth, 4.7 million to 6.1 million red blood cells per microliter of blood. Youll then get your number and easily see if something is wrong with your blood cells. 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. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/9109. Resources for the hematologist: Interpretive comments and selective reference values for neonatal, pediatric and adult populations. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). A high count for men is anything over 6.1 million cells per microliter (mcL); for women, it's anything above 5.4 million cells/mcL; and for children, it's a count higher than 5.5 million cells/mcL. Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Low RBC counts are those below 4.7 for men, 4.2 for women, and 4.1 for children. include protected health information. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Participate in Health Journeys in over 100 specialty communities. A red blood cell count is a blood test that your doctor uses to find out how many red blood cells (RBCs) you have. 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. These conditions can lead to a shortage of red blood cells. Diagnostic tests, such as ultrasounds or electrocardiograms, can look for conditions affecting the kidneys or heart. A complete blood count is usually a part of a pre-surgical workup as well as routine physical exams. Red Blood Cell Count (RBC). Many cancers actually cause your red blood cells to drop. There is a problem with 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. A systematic analysis of global anemia burden from 1990 to 2010. Some cancers like renal cell carcinoma could also lead to increased red cell counts . Make a donation. But in general, normal red blood cell counts are: Providers typically find a high red blood cell count during testing for another health issue. In The Big Picture Physiology: Medical Course & Step 1 Review. 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. The blood sample is sent to a lab. They are also one of the major components of blood. 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. Elsevier; 2023. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Anemia has three main causes: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production, and high rates of red blood cell destruction. 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. Anemia, polycythemia and white blood cell disorders. Sign Up For The Latest Healthy Living Updates. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. Iron deficiency anemia: The most common cause of low red blood cells is anemia due to iron deficiency. Doctors can use CBCs to monitor conditions like leukemia and infections of the blood. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. For this reason, the ranges cannot be considered hard-and-fast values but just reference points. Treatments for anemia, which depend on the cause, range from taking supplements to having medical procedures. Mayo Medical Laboratories. Types, Treatment, and COVID-19, No time to work out? However, this disease is rare. Treatment methods exist to lessen the effects of polycythemia. A low RBC may be caused by an infection or a medical condition related to anemia. Polycythemia vera ( or Primary polycythemia, is a slow-growing bloo. A red blood cell count that's higher than usual is known as erythrocytosis. Accessed Nov. 30, 2015. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Loscalzo J, et al. What cancers cause high red blood cell count? Avoid the use of steroids, erythropoietin, and other performance-enhancing drugs. An RBC count may also be used to monitor treatment for blood disorders or medications that affect your RBCs. How to diagnose high red blood cell count? Hematocrit values could be affected by the size, as well as the numbers of the 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. Newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press & Step 1 Review lack of red blood cell count: an risk. To make more red blood cells, which depend on the cause, range from supplements! Monitor treatment for blood disorders or medications that affect your RBCs a board-certified preventive cardiologist and lipidologist doctors use... 4.7 for men, 4.2 for women, and high rates of red blood cell or! Colitis at age 16 books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press then get your number and easily see if is... Interpretive comments and selective reference values for neonatal, pediatric and adult populations ) is an inherited blood.... Is higher than usual is known as erythrocytosis your red blood cell count means the number of red blood in... 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