Wellness

[SilleeMee]

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.

[Snowpuppy]

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.

[m0rgan]

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.  

[SilleeMee]

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.

[Squirt60]

@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. 

[SilleeMee]

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@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. 

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@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.

[Squirt60]

@SilleeMee 

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

[SilleeMee]

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@Squirt60 wrote:

@SilleeMee 

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

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@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.

[Wsmom]

@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.

[GingerHead]

@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....