Common "High Rbc Count" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

High Rbc Count

Various medical conditions can cause an increase in red cell count. It is medically known as erythrocytosis. The treatment is targeted at treating the underlying condition.

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Should I undergo further evaluation for polycythemia?

Query: Hello doctor, I am 27 years old male, 6 feet, and 180 lbs. I started a new job and the life insurance company wanted me to take a blood test. The results are attached. My blood test shows a low erythropoietin of 4.4 U/L (normal range 4.3 to 29) and high red blood cell count of 5.6x10^12/L (normal ra...  Read Full »


Dr. Girish Chandrakant Kamat

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your hemogram and erythropoietinlevels are normal. I would not evaluate you any further. They should not have asked for a hematology consultation, but if it is mandatory, get it done. All the best and do well in your new job.   Read Full »

Will quitting alcohol and cigarettes improve my blood tests?

Query: Hello doctor, I am suffering from hypertension since few years, and I am currently on medication Telmisartan. I am an alcoholic and smoker, and I smoke approximately 15 cigarettes a day for the last five years. My current CBC report suggests high RBC, hemoglobin, and PCV. Though it reduced slightly ...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com.I have gone through your attached reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity).The diagnosis is polycythemia. Polycythemia can be secondary or primary. Secondary polycythemia occurs because of hypoxia, which activates the oxygen sensor and more erythropoietin is...  Read Full »

I have high RBC count, low MCV, and MCH. Why?

Query: Hi doctor, If my complete blood count has high RBC value and low MCV and MCH values, what is the possible diagnosis for me?  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. 1. High RBC count is called polycythemia. If it is persistently high, then the cause should be evaluated. Respiratory causes like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and cardiac causes can lead to secondary polycythemia. Primary polycythemia is a myeloprolifera...  Read Full »

Why are my hematocrit, RBC, Hb, and mean cell volume elevated?

Query: Hello doctor, I have been feeling unwell for a long time. These are my recent blood test results. My doctor said that the values of my hematocrit, RBC count, hemoglobin, and mean cell volume have been out of the normal range for at least 10 years as far as he could guess. I think it should be invest...  Read Full »


Dr. Singh Smrita

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. We value the high level of confidence that you have in us. Your hemoglobin and hematocrit values are slightly high. Your RBC count is only marginally elevated since the upper limit of the normal range is 5.5 million/cu.mm. From these values, I have a suspicion that ...  Read Full »

My mother underwent blood tests. Please review her reports.

Query: Hello doctor, Kindly evaluate my mother's blood test report. The RDW is 14.6. How can we interpret the value of RDW? She is on Nebicart 5 mg, Matilda Forte, Calright, and Caat 20 mg.  Read Full »


Dr. Settipalli Saravan Pramod

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. RDW is nothing but red blood cell distribution width which signifies the size of red blood cells. Increase in RDW have two probable diagnosis and one is due to iron deficiency and the second is due to folate and B12 deficiency. Before to comment on diagnosis, I just ...  Read Full »

Can high RBC count cause blood in urine?

Query: Hello doctor, I had an annual health checkup recently. My RBC count was high, will this cause blood in urine? And my eosinophils, ESR, and calcium levels are high. What needs to be done? I currently take BP and cholesterol medicines.  Read Full »


Dr. Akash Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. First of all, I want to really appreciate that you go for regular health checkups. Most of your health parameters are within normal range except a few. Regarding calcium, your calcium levels are marginally over the limit, and should not be considered high. The calciu...  Read Full »

Kindly review my blood reports and let me know the abnormalities in my report.

Query: Hello doctor, Kindly help me to know in detail about the abnormalities in my blood reports. Thanks.   Read Full »


Dr. Sugreev Singh

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for writing, and I can understand your concern. I have gone through your reports (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity), and actually, there are minor changes due to infection, improper diet, etc. Red blood cells are elevated. It might be ...  Read Full »

What does it mean if my RBC and hematocrit values are elevated?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 21-year-old female. My height is 5'8", and my weight is 185 lbs. I take tablet Tirosint 50 mcg for my Hashimoto's thyroiditis and tablet Slynd for PCOS. My blood reports showed slightly elevated RBC and hematocrit and low MCH. I have had migraines for six years. What is causin...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have checked your CBC (complete blood count) report (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity). In the attached blood report, red blood cells and hematocrit are slightly high, while MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) is borderline low. These fluctuations...  Read Full »

RBC 5.70 million per MM, Hb 17.0 g/dl, and ESR 35 ml. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, My blood test findings are PCV 50.60 %, RBC count 5.70 million per millimeters, hemoglobin 17.0 g/dl, and ESR 35 millimeters. I am taking tablet Cefuroxime 500 mg twice a day. Please help. Thanks.  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Your RBC (red blood cell ) count and PCV (packed cell volume) are borderline. But that might be due to dehydration caused by less fluid intake. Kindly provide any cardiac or respiratory cause, as it can lead to secondary erythrocytosis fin...  Read Full »

Can polycythemia vera cause high levels of hemoglobin and RBC?

Query: Hi doctor, My laboratory results from last week show increased hematocrit (50.7%) and high end of normal hemoglobin (16.7%) and RBC (5.72). While the hemoglobin and the RBC are technically within the normal range, historically, I never had high values like this. Usually, my RBC (red blood cells) is ...  Read Full »


Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Answer: Hello, Welcome to the icliniq.com. Following is my opinion for your asked question. Hemoglobin level above 16.5 and hematocrit more than 49 should be investigated further, especially for secondary polycythemia. You can investigate with ECG (electrocardiogram) and chest x-ray to check for the car...  Read Full »

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