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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffA high red blood cell count may occur because:
- Red blood cell production increases to compensate for low oxygen levels due to poor heart or lung function
- The kidneys release too much of a protein (erythropoietin, or EPO) that enhances red blood cell production
- The bone marrow is producing too many red blood cells
- The oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells is impaired
- Red blood cell production increases to compensate for limited oxygen at higher altitudes
- The loss of blood plasma, the liquid component of blood, creates relatively high levels of red blood cells
Specific causes of high red blood cell count may include:
- Anabolic steroids, which stimulate red blood cell production
- Congenital heart disease
- COPD
- Dehydration
- EPO doping (injections of erythropoietin (EPO) to enhance athletic performance)
- Heart failure
- Hemoglobinopathies (conditions present at birth that impair the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells)
- Kidney cancer
- Kidney transplant
- Living at a high altitude, where there's less oxygen in the air
- Other types of heart disease
- Other types of lung disease
- Polycythemia vera
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Smoking, which may result in low blood oxygen levels
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
References
- 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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