What does a high red blood cell count mean?
A high red blood cell count means the number of red blood cells in your bloodstream is higher than normal. Normal red blood cell counts are: For men, 4.7 to 6.1 million red blood cells per microliter of blood For women, 4.2 to 5.4 million red blood cells per microliter of blood
How is the red blood cell ( RBC ) count used?
The red blood cell (RBC count is used to measure the number of oxygen-carrying blood cells in a volume of blood. It is one of the key measures we use to determine how much oxygen is being transported to cells of the body. An abnormal RBC count is often the first sign of an illness that may either be undiagnosed or without symptoms.
What are the treatments for high red blood cell count?
What Are the Treatments of High Red Blood Cell Count? 1. Medical Treatments. Phlebotomy; Phlebotomy is the quickest and simplest way of reducing your red blood cell count, and it may be recommended if you have a history of blood clots. Phlebotomy involves removing about a pint of blood at a time, similar to the procedure used for blood donation.
What’s the normal red blood cell count for an adult?
The definition of a high red blood cell count varies from one medical practice to another. A normal range in adults is generally considered to be 4.35 to 5.65 million red blood cells per microliter (mcL) of blood for men and 3.92 to 5.13 million red blood cells per mcL of blood for women.
What are the dangers of having a high red blood cell count?
A high red blood count, known as erythrocytosis, can be dangerous not only because it increases the chance of blood clots forming, but also because: It causes bleeding and bruising to occur more easily. It causes joint pain. It causes an increased pressure on the heart, lungs, brain and kidneys due to hypertension . It can lead to Angina.
What causes a high red and white blood count?
Polycythemia vera is another bone marrow condition characterized by the overproduction of red blood cells. This condition is caused by a gene mutation. The same mutation can trigger the bone marrow to release too many white blood cells. Finally, myelofibrosis can also cause an elevated white blood cell count.
What effect does a high red blood cell count have on the body?
Increased probability of blood clots (impending danger of heart attack or stroke). Slowed blood flow also prevents enough oxygen-rich blood from reaching your organs. This can lead to angina (chest pain or discomfort) and heart failure. The high levels of red blood cells can lead to stomach ulcers, gout,…
What are the reasons for high red blood cell count?
Sometimes, the cause lies in overproduction of red blood cells in the bone marrow. High red blood cells count may result from impaired ability of the cells to carry oxygen. Elevated RBC value occurs at high altitudes due to low ambient oxygen levels.
Is it normal to have a high white blood cell count?
Therefore, it is normal and welcomed that when a person has a fever or some other systemic symptom, their white blood cell count is elevated. However, too many white blood cells doesn’t always that your body is simply working hard to fight a short-term infection; it is not always good news.
What can be done about a high hemoglobin count?
Certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors can cause a high hemoglobin count. It can be treated with medication or a procedure called a phlebotomy. What is a high hemoglobin count? Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that helps blood carry oxygen throughout the body. (Hemoglobin contains iron, which gives blood its red color.)
What causes high hemoglobin levels in the blood?
Sometimes a high hemoglobin count is the result of lifestyle or a side effect of taking medication. Medical conditions that can cause high hemoglobin levels include: Polycythemia vera (the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells) Lung diseases such as COPD, emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis (lung tissue becomes scarred)
What causes elevated blood count?
The most common causes of elevated white blood cell counts are infections and inflammation. Some cases of leucocytosis are the result of an immune reaction. A small number of cases are caused by a blood cancer.
What does ‘high MCV and MCh’ mean on a blood test?
MCH is the mass of hemoglobin per red blood cell and MCV reflects the size of each blood cell. High MCH and MCV may indicate anemia (iron, B6, or copper), Vit b12 and folic acid deficiency or alcohol use. Even relatively small amount of alcohol 2-4 drinks per day can cause this.
What medications cause low blood count?
A number of medications can cause low platelet count by triggering immunologic reaction against the platelets. This is called drug-induced thrombocytopenia. Some of the medications that can cause this condition are digoxin, quinine, quinidine, Sulfonamide antibiotics, rifampin, and acetaminophen.
How long has my dad been on blood transfusions?
If any of you have experienced this situation or heard of such a kind of occurance, please share your views. Dad aged 59, no medicines working and hence on blood transfusions for the last 2.5 years now. Taking iron overload medicine (Indian version – asunra of deseferiox / exjade) for the last 4 months now.
Why is my dad’s HB Count not going up?
My dad has been taking blood transfusions (3 red packed cells) on a monthly basis. Post transfusion hb was around 9 – 10 where as this time after his 43rd transfusion, his hb count has not gone up. We are worried if there is some reason to this.
When to see a doctor for elevated RBC count?
Regular doctor’s 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. An elevated RBC count is usually discovered when doctors order blood tests to help diagnose a patient’s condition.
A high red blood cell count means the number of red blood cells in your bloodstream is higher than normal. Normal red blood cell counts are: For men, 4.7 to 6.1 million red blood cells per microliter of blood For women, 4.2 to 5.4 million red blood cells per microliter of blood
If any of you have experienced this situation or heard of such a kind of occurance, please share your views. Dad aged 59, no medicines working and hence on blood transfusions for the last 2.5 years now. Taking iron overload medicine (Indian version – asunra of deseferiox / exjade) for the last 4 months now.
My dad has been taking blood transfusions (3 red packed cells) on a monthly basis. Post transfusion hb was around 9 – 10 where as this time after his 43rd transfusion, his hb count has not gone up. We are worried if there is some reason to this.
What causes high red blood cell count after kidney transplant?
Rarely, in some kidney cancers and sometimes after kidney transplants, the kidneys might produce too much erythropoietin. This enhances red blood cell production. Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
What are the results of a blood test?
Understanding your blood test results. This is a routine test to evaluate your general health. It can also detect a range of diseases, so doctors order this test to shed light on symptoms like fatigue or bruises. The CBC checks your levels of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. White blood cells help fight infection,…
What kind of blood test to check red blood cell count?
Vitamin measurement such as iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, which are all important in red cell production. Oxygen levels to measure oxygen levels in the blood, usually with a probe clipped onto your finger. Lung function test for COPD. Oxygen dissociation to measure how tightly hemoglobin holds on to oxygen.
Regular doctor’s 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. An elevated RBC count is usually discovered when doctors order blood tests to help diagnose a patient’s condition.
Is there an identifiable cause of high blood pressure?
Primary (essential) hypertension For most adults, there’s no identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure, called primary (essential) hypertension, tends to develop gradually over many years.
How can you tell if you have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure.
What are the symptoms of high blood iron?
High blood iron usually affects the liver, where an overabundance of iron can result in liver swelling and damage. Symptoms of high blood iron include generalized abdominal symptoms, fatigue and lethargy, darkening of the skin, weight loss, and weakness .
High blood iron usually affects the liver, where an overabundance of iron can result in liver swelling and damage. Symptoms of high blood iron include generalized abdominal symptoms, fatigue and lethargy, darkening of the skin, weight loss, and weakness .
What does it mean when your blood pressure is high?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries, which carry blood from your heart to other parts of your body.
What to do if your red blood cells are too high?
These may include tests to look for conditions that cause your body to produce too many red blood cells, such as heart failure, or disorders that restrict your oxygen supply, such as sleep apnea. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.