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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA high red blood cell count indicates an excess of red blood cells circulating in your bloodstream. Red blood cells (erythrocytes, or RBCs) are produced in your bone marrow and transport oxygen from your lungs to tissues throughout your body. A high red blood cell count is also called erythrocytosis (uh-rith-roh-sie-TOH-sis).
The threshold for a high red blood cell count is somewhat different from one medical practice to another. A high red blood cell count is generally defined as more than 5.72 million red blood cells per microliter (mcL) of blood for men and 5.03 million per mcL for women. In children, the threshold for high red blood cell count varies with age and sex.
- Prchal JT. Clinical manifestations and classification of erythrocyte disorders. In: Lichtman MA, et al. Williams Hematology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=69. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Polycythemia vera (primary polycythemia). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec11/ch141/ch141d.html#sec11-ch141-ch141d-694. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Brennan DC, et al. Erythrocytosis following renal transplantation. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Laboratory reference values. Erythrocytes: Red blood cells (RBC). Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; September 2010.
- Renal cell carcinoma. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec17/ch241/ch241f.html?qt=kidney%20cancer&alt=sh. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Blood studies: Hematology and coagulation. In: Fischbach FT, et al. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:92.
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