What are the side effects of high red blood cell count?

By Laura S. Harris
Sep 6, 2021

If you have a high RBC count, you could experience symptoms such as: fatigue. shortness of breath. joint pain....Symptoms of an abnormal count. fatigue. shortness of breath. dizziness, weakness, or lightheadedness, particularly when you change positions quickly. increased heart rate. headaches. pale skin.

Should I worry if my hemoglobin is high?

High hemoglobin levels could be indicative of the rare blood disease, polycythemia. It causes the body to make too many red blood cells, causing the blood to be thicker than usual. This can lead to clots, heart attacks, and strokes. It is a serious lifelong condition that can be fatal if it is not treated.

Can dehydration cause high red blood cell count?

Dehydration (If the liquid component of the blood (plasma) is decreased, as in dehydration, the red blood cell count increases. This is due to the red blood cells becoming more concentrated. The actual number of red blood cells stays the same.)

What does too many red blood cells mean?

Having too many red blood cells might cause stomach ulcers, gout, or kidney stones. PV can also lead to more serious blood diseases like acute leukemia or myelofibrosis. Acute leukemia is a blood cancer that gets worse quickly. Myelofibrosis is a condition in which your bone marrow fills with scar tissue.

What does it mean when your body makes too many red blood cells?

Polycythemia vera (pol-e-sy-THEE-me-uh VEER-uh) is a type of blood cancer. It causes your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. These excess cells thicken your blood, slowing its flow, which may cause serious problems, such as blood clots. Polycythemia vera is rare.

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References

• https://www.healthline.com (Sep 27, 2021) Red Blood Cell Count (RBC): Purpose, Procedure, and Preparation
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com (Sep 27, 2021) Hemoglobin levels: Levels, imbalances, symptoms, and risk ...
• https://www.mayoclinic.org (Sep 27, 2021) High red blood cell count Causes - Mayo Clinic
• https://www.webmd.com (Oct 19, 2020) Polycythemia Vera (PV): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
• https://www.mayoclinic.org (Mar 18, 2021) Polycythemia vera - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic