topic Re: Red Blood Cell Count in Wellness

Red Blood Cell Count

Squirt60 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 20:28:04 GMT

I went for my annual blood test recently and was informed I have too many red blood cells so I have to see a Hematologist. Has anyone had this problem? Any advice you can share?

Thank you

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

RedTop — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 21:07:33 GMT

I know of others who have had the diagnosis of too many red blood cells, and the cause, along with manageable treatment, was different in every one of them. Late stage COPD was the root cause in the person I remember most. Sending best wishes to you!

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

89135 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 21:11:00 GMT

My RBC is usually higher than the range they give you...My Range shows 3.80-5.10. Mine has been 5.28 and 5.47 the last 2 times I had bloodwork. Doctor doesn't seem too concerned. It depends how much higher yours is. Did they tell you what yours was? I get my results online from Quest and can see for myself but also see doctor every 6 mos.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

Squirt60 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 21:29:43 GMT

I was told it should be around 5.3 and mine is 5.8

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

Wsmom — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 21:47:24 GMT

@Squirt60 , was everything else normal, like the hematocrit, hemoglobin, etc?

I do see a hematologist but when I was referred just based on what was high they knew what I had. For me it was very high hematocrit that was a massive red flag.

I wouldn't stress about it at this point until you know if there is an issue. Did your primary give you any indication of his/her thoughts? Mine told me immediately what he suspected.

Be thankful your primary is on top of things and ready to send you to a specialist as soon as he/she feels you need further checking.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

GingerHead — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 22:09:41 GMT

@Squirt60 Did they order a retesting of the count because like was said before it can be as a result of many conditions some serious and some as simple as dehydration at the time of testing.

I would ask about a retest, unless you've already had one.

Wishing you well!

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

mrshckynut — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 22:17:01 GMT

@Squirt60 wrote:
I went for my annual blood test recently and was informed I have too many red blood cells so I have to see a Hematologist. Has anyone had this problem? Any advice you can share?

Thank you

@Squirt60

who informed you? would like to think it was your doctor-np-pa many different options for this issue advice should come from a medical professional maybe even a hematologist

mrshckynut

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

GingerHead — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 22:38:13 GMT

@Squirt60

Of course listen to your doctor but seeking advice or others experiences is something we all should do and is good to do.

Always seek and ask....no harm in that. knowledge is power.

We need to be our own advocates for our own health....

good luck.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

Squirt60 — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 23:22:20 GMT

@GingerHead

yes, I always enjoy coming here to look for advice. Everyone is always so helpful.

Thank you all for your advice. Unfortunately I can't get in to see the Hemotoligist until the end of the month. 🥲

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

GingerHead — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 23:29:43 GMT

@Squirt60

Curious, did you have it retested? I'd ask my doctor to retest before seeing the hematologist. Can't hurt and is usually done.

I've had some random out of wack lab results that when retested were perfectly normal.

Usually doctors look at trends of abnormalities depending and don't get too worked up by a random, slightly elevated result....

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

SilleeMee — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:13:55 GMT

An elevated RBC can be the result of many factors. That count alone is really not enough info to warrant seeing a specialist. There must be some other abnormal measurements or clinical manifestation other than just an elevated RBC to justify seeing one. We are seeing only part of the picture, in other words.

I'm a retired hematology and chemistry specialist in medical laboratory technology.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

Snowpuppy — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:04:40 GMT

I have a modestly high red blood cell count due to some decreased lung function. I have an auto immune disorder and lowered lung function is common with my disorder.

However elevated, the count has stayed consistent for years and doesn't deviate. Never seen a hematologist.

My PCP who is a holistic dr considers my disorder stable. I do get winded some days but I am not on O2 nor do I have a cpap. I sleep fine.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

m0rgan — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:16:55 GMT

My hemoglobin is high and my doctor referred me to a pulmonologist because he suspects

sleep apnea. I wear a fitbit and do not think I have sleep apnea but will follow through. My

doctor also said donating blood regularly (not sure how much that means) may help. I am

donating blood April 8 and having blood test on April 26 to check if it helps.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

SilleeMee — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:26:25 GMT

Some cases of high RBC count are causes of donor refusal. A hematocrit is checked prior to blood donation and if it's above criteria then the donor will be turned away.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

Squirt60 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:30:53 GMT

@SilleeMee

I did look at my numbers from the last 3 years and I noticed it is elevated slightly each year. My Hemoglobin I noticed is 6.4 and according to the test it says it should be 6.0

Maybe that is why she is sending me to a specialist. I am scared to death and really do not want to go but I guess I should.

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

SilleeMee — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:44:12 GMT

@Squirt60 wrote:
@SilleeMee

I did look at my numbers from the last 3 years and I noticed it is elevated slightly each year. My Hemoglobin I noticed is 6.4 and according to the test it says it should be 6.0
Maybe that is why she is sending me to a specialist. I am scared to death and really do not want to go but I guess I should.

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.

@Squirt60

I don't understand. A Hgb of 6.4 is low and indicates anemia. Maybe you mean your RBC is 6.4, not your Hgb.

A RBC count of 6.4 is barely above normal high. There must be something else going on besides that to have you referred to a specialist. I'm just speculating.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

Squirt60 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:44:35 GMT

@SilleeMee

I'm sorry, I typed that wrong. My RBC count is 5.84 and my Hemoglobin is 16.4

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

SilleeMee — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 01:03:10 GMT

@Squirt60 wrote:
@SilleeMee

I'm sorry, I typed that wrong. My RBC count is 5.84 and my Hemoglobin is 16.4

@Squirt60

If that were my results, I would ask for a retest. To me they don't seem that terribly abnormal to warrant seeing a specialist. But I'm no doctor and I don't know med history.

Drink lots of water before getting retested.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

Wsmom — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 01:16:03 GMT

@Squirt60 , I agree with others about getting another test. Definitely make an appointment with a hematologist but in the meantime request another CBC. Even if they come back better this time still go see the specialist since you already have an appointment so your mind will be at ease.

When you go back to previous tests if you found that those numbers are consistently rising that may be why you are getting the referral.

Re: Red Blood Cell Count

GingerHead — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 01:22:20 GMT

@SilleeMee

Hey, I'm a medical technologist too, small world! haha

I haven't worked in the lab in awhile but when I did I was a generalist not a specialist.....so not as knowlegable in this area as you'd be. That's pretty neat though....