My red blood cell level is high.Please advise.

Question

Hello doctor,

My CBC test showed an RBC level of 7.1. Doctors told me that this value is high. The MCV is 56.8 and the MCH is 15.4, which are low. I used to smoke when I did the first test. When I went for the test again after two months, I had quit smoking. Even then the result was the same.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your CBC (complete blood count) reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:

Your RBC (red blood cells) count is high, and this condition is called polycythemia.
Polycythemia is usually present in high-altitude conditions or in people with lung damage or smokers with lung damage.
Two months is a short time for the lungs to recover. That is the reason why the results remained the same even two months after you had quit smoking.
However, additionally, you appear to have iron deficiency anemia.
Correction of iron deficiency is necessary, and repeat tests can be done after 3 months.
A reticulocyte count test 15 days after the start of treatment will confirm your body's response to iron therapy.
You need to quit smoking completely and also start iron therapy.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.