What is High Red Blood Cell Count? Symptoms, Causes, & Home Treatment

High red blood cell count, also called polycythemia, happens when your body makes too many red blood cells or when your blood becomes thicker than normal. Think of it like having too many cars on a highway - the traffic gets congested and doesn't flow as smoothly. This condition can develop gradually and often goes unnoticed until discovered during routine blood work.

What is High Red Blood Cell Count?

High red blood cell count means you have more red blood cells circulating in your bloodstream than what's considered normal for your age and gender. For men, a normal red blood cell count ranges from 4.7 to 6.1 million cells per microliter, while for women it's typically 4.2 to 5.4 million cells per microliter.

When your count goes above these ranges, your blood becomes thicker and more viscous. This makes it harder for your heart to pump blood through your body efficiently. Your doctor measures this through a complete blood count (CBC) test, which is a simple blood draw that provides valuable information about your overall health.

What Does High Red Blood Cell Count Feel Like?

Many people with high red blood cell count don't feel any symptoms at first, which is why it's often discovered during routine blood tests. When symptoms do appear, they typically develop slowly as your blood becomes thicker over time.

The most common symptoms you might experience include persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, headaches that seem more frequent than usual, and dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up. You may also notice that you feel short of breath during activities that normally wouldn't tire you out.

Some people develop a reddish complexion, particularly in their face, or notice that their skin takes on a slightly bluish tint around the lips or fingertips. You might also experience unusual itching, especially after taking a warm shower or bath, which happens because the thicker blood affects circulation to your skin.

What Causes High Red Blood Cell Count?

High red blood cell count can develop for several reasons, and understanding the cause helps determine the best treatment approach. The causes generally fall into two main categories: your body making too many red blood cells or your blood losing fluid and becoming concentrated.

Here are the most common causes that lead to elevated red blood cell counts:

• Living at high altitudes: Your body naturally makes more red blood cells to carry oxygen in thinner air
• Smoking: Reduces oxygen in your blood, prompting your body to produce more red blood cells
• Dehydration: When you lose fluids, your blood becomes more concentrated
• Chronic lung diseases: Conditions like COPD or sleep apnea reduce oxygen levels
• Heart disease: Certain heart conditions can trigger increased red blood cell production
• Kidney problems: Your kidneys produce a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production

Less commonly, certain medications like testosterone therapy or blood doping substances can artificially boost red blood cell production. Your doctor will work with you to identify which factor might be contributing to your elevated levels.

What is High Red Blood Cell Count a Sign or Symptom of?

High red blood cell count can be a sign of several underlying conditions, ranging from relatively minor issues to more serious health problems. The key is determining whether your elevated count is a reaction to something in your environment or lifestyle, or if it signals an underlying medical condition.

Common conditions that can cause high red blood cell count include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which reduces your lungs' ability to deliver oxygen to your blood. Sleep apnea, where you stop breathing briefly during sleep, can also trigger your body to make more red blood cells to compensate for lower oxygen levels.

Heart conditions like congenital heart disease or heart failure can lead to elevated red blood cell counts as your body tries to improve oxygen delivery. Kidney disease sometimes causes this condition because damaged kidneys may produce too much of the hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.

In rare cases, high red blood cell count can indicate polycythemia vera, a type of blood cancer where your bone marrow makes too many blood cells. This condition is uncommon but requires specialized treatment from a hematologist. Other rare causes include certain tumors that produce hormones affecting red blood cell production.

Can High Red Blood Cell Count Go Away on Its Own?

Whether high red blood cell count resolves on its own depends entirely on what's causing it in the first place. If your elevated count is due to temporary factors like dehydration or recent travel to high altitudes, it often returns to normal once the underlying cause is addressed.

For example, if you've been dehydrated due to illness or intense exercise, drinking plenty of fluids and allowing your body to recover can help normalize your red blood cell count within a few days to weeks. Similarly, if you've recently moved from a high-altitude location to sea level, your count may gradually decrease over several weeks as your body adapts.

However, if your high red blood cell count is caused by an ongoing condition like sleep apnea, heart disease, or a chronic lung condition, it's unlikely to resolve without proper treatment of the underlying problem. This is why it's important to work with your doctor to identify and address the root cause.

How Can High Red Blood Cell Count be Treated at Home?

While you can't cure high red blood cell count at home, there are several supportive measures you can take to help manage your condition and support your overall health. These home care strategies work best when combined with proper medical treatment.

Staying well-hydrated is one of the most important things you can do, as dehydration can make your blood even thicker. Aim to drink water throughout the day, and pay attention to your urine color - pale yellow usually indicates good hydration.

Here are helpful home management strategies that may support your treatment:

• Quit smoking: This is crucial since smoking reduces oxygen and stimulates red blood cell production
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent blood from becoming more concentrated
• Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can contribute to dehydration and may interfere with your treatment
• Get gentle exercise: Light physical activity can help improve circulation, but avoid overexertion
• Monitor your symptoms: Keep track of any changes in how you feel and report them to your doctor

It's important to remember that these home measures are supportive care, not a substitute for medical treatment. Always follow your doctor's recommendations and attend regular follow-up appointments to monitor your condition.

What is the Medical Treatment for High Red Blood Cell Count?

Medical treatment for high red blood cell count focuses on addressing the underlying cause and managing your symptoms to prevent complications. Your doctor will tailor your treatment plan based on what's causing your elevated levels and how severe your condition is.

For mild cases caused by lifestyle factors, your doctor might recommend changes like quitting smoking, treating sleep apnea with a CPAP machine, or managing underlying heart or lung conditions. These approaches address the root cause, which often helps normalize your red blood cell count over time.

In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend a procedure called phlebotomy, which is similar to donating blood. During this procedure, a healthcare provider removes a specific amount of blood from your body, which helps reduce the concentration of red blood cells. This is usually done in a medical office and may need to be repeated periodically.

For rare conditions like polycythemia vera, your doctor might prescribe medications that help slow down red blood cell production in your bone marrow. These medications require careful monitoring and are typically managed by specialists called hematologists.

When Should I See a Doctor for High Red Blood Cell Count?

You should see a doctor if you experience persistent symptoms that might indicate high red blood cell count, especially if they're affecting your daily life. Don't wait if you're experiencing concerning symptoms, as early detection and treatment can prevent complications.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you notice ongoing fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, frequent headaches, dizziness, or unusual shortness of breath during normal activities. These symptoms can indicate that your blood isn't flowing efficiently through your body.

Seek medical attention more urgently if you experience these warning signs:

• Severe headaches: Especially if they're different from your usual headaches
• Vision changes: Blurred vision or seeing spots
• Chest pain: Any chest discomfort or pressure
• Difficulty breathing: Shortness of breath that's getting worse
• Unusual bleeding: Easy bruising or bleeding from the nose or gums
• Numbness or tingling: Especially in your hands or feet

These symptoms could indicate that your high red blood cell count is causing circulation problems or other complications that need immediate attention. Your doctor can perform simple blood tests to check your levels and determine the best course of action.

What are the Risk Factors for Developing High Red Blood Cell Count?

Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing high red blood cell count, and understanding these risk factors can help you take preventive measures. Some risk factors are within your control, while others are related to your genetics or medical history.

Age and gender play a role, as high red blood cell count is more common in older adults and slightly more frequent in men than women. Your family history also matters - if you have relatives with blood disorders or polycythemia vera, you may have a higher risk.

Lifestyle and environmental factors that increase your risk include:

• Smoking: Significantly increases your risk by reducing oxygen in your blood
• Living at high altitudes: Your body naturally adapts by making more red blood cells
• Chronic dehydration: Regularly not drinking enough fluids can concentrate your blood
• Sleep apnea: Untreated sleep disorders reduce oxygen levels during sleep
• Certain occupations: Jobs with exposure to carbon monoxide or at high altitudes

Medical conditions that increase your risk include chronic lung diseases like COPD or emphysema, heart conditions that affect oxygen delivery, and kidney disease. If you have any of these conditions, your doctor will likely monitor your blood counts regularly to catch any changes early.

What are the Possible Complications of High Red Blood Cell Count?

High red blood cell count can lead to several serious complications if left untreated, primarily because thicker blood doesn't flow as easily through your circulatory system. Understanding these potential complications helps explain why proper treatment is so important.

The most concerning complications involve blood clots, which can form more easily when your blood is thicker than normal. These clots can travel to vital organs and cause life-threatening problems like heart attacks, strokes, or pulmonary embolisms (clots in your lungs).

Other complications that can develop over time include:

• Blood clots: Increased risk of clots in veins and arteries throughout your body
• Heart problems: Your heart works harder to pump thicker blood, potentially leading to heart failure
• Stroke: Blood clots can block blood flow to your brain
• Bleeding disorders: Paradoxically, some people develop bleeding problems despite having thick blood
• Enlarged spleen: Your spleen may become enlarged as it works to filter thicker blood

The good news is that with proper treatment and monitoring, most of these complications can be prevented. Your doctor will work with you to keep your red blood cell count in a healthy range and monitor for any signs of complications.

Is High Red Blood Cell Count Good or Bad for Overall Health?

High red blood cell count is generally not good for your overall health, even though it might seem like having more oxygen-carrying cells would be beneficial. The problem is that when you have too many red blood cells, your blood becomes thick and doesn't flow efficiently through your circulatory system.

While red blood cells are essential for carrying oxygen to your tissues, having too many creates a traffic jam in your blood vessels. This forces your heart to work harder to pump blood throughout your body, and it increases your risk of developing blood clots that can cause serious complications.

However, it's important to understand that your body sometimes increases red blood cell production for good reasons, such as when you're living at high altitudes or have a condition that reduces oxygen levels. In these cases, the higher count is your body's natural response to ensure adequate oxygen delivery.

The key is finding the right balance and addressing any underlying causes that might be driving your count too high. With proper treatment, most people with high red blood cell count can manage their condition effectively and maintain good overall health.

What can High Red Blood Cell Count be Mistaken for?

High red blood cell count can be mistaken for several other conditions because its symptoms are often vague and can overlap with many common health problems. This is why proper blood testing is essential for accurate diagnosis.

The fatigue and weakness associated with high red blood cell count are often mistaken for anemia, which is actually the opposite condition where you have too few red blood cells. Both conditions can make you feel tired, but they require completely different treatments.

Other conditions that share similar symptoms include:

• Depression: Both can cause persistent fatigue and lack of energy
• Sleep disorders: Poor sleep quality can mimic the tiredness from high red blood cell count
• Thyroid problems: Both overactive and underactive thyroid can cause fatigue and circulation issues
• Heart disease: Shortness of breath and fatigue are common in both conditions
• Chronic fatigue syndrome: The persistent tiredness can be very similar

Sometimes, temporary factors like dehydration from illness or intense exercise can cause your red blood cell count to appear elevated when it's actually normal. This is why your doctor may want to repeat blood tests or check your hydration status before making a diagnosis.