Re: Elevated red corpuscles

[Guest guest]

dear liz

as rbc carry the haemoglobin that carries oxygen, anything that affects the

ability to obtain oxygen will result in the body trying to compensate by

increasing the number of rbc - so smoking increases the number of rbc as the

body tries to get more o2. Athletes will often try to increase their rbc

count to increase their o2 carrying capacity - by staying at altitude, or by

taking EPO which is a natural hormonal substance that increases rbc levels.

Up to a point raised rbc levels are not a problem in themselves ( and the

normal range is quite wide) - it is nice to know why however. Over a

certain level it becomes a problem of depleted nutrients and raised blood

pressure and this would be polycythaemia which is mostly treated, at least

at first, by simply removing blood from the system.

(I spent 20 years working in haematology and blood transfusion)

best wishes

Herbert

Elevated red corpuscles

>A patient had blood tests for suspected gout, which came back negative, but

> he had elevated levels of red blood corpuscles, which his GP could not

> explain but thought it may be due to his high intake of alcohol.

>

> Can anyone elaborate on this, or advise other scenarios that result in

> elevated red corpuscles.

>

> Thanks.

> Liz Lillicrap

>

>

> List Owner: Graham White, MNIMH

>