What happens if you have too many red blood cells?
The Problem of Too Many Red Blood Cells. While you may think more is better than not enough, polycythemia can cause significant problems. This thickens the blood because now there are more cells in the same amount of liquid (called plasma). This blood has difficulty moving through the blood vessels and can result in strokes, heart attacks, blood clots or pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lung).
What is the reason for low RBC count?
Other potential causes of a low red blood cell count include:
- Anemia
- Bone marrow failure
- Bleeding
- Erythropoietin deficiency due to kidney disease
- RBC destruction from blood vessel injuries or transfusions
- Malnutrition; nutritional deficiencies of vitamins B6 or B12, folic acid, copper, or iron
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer)
- Pregnancy
- Overhydration
How to increase RBC level?
Medical Ways to Increase Red Blood Cells
- Medications. Antibiotics for infections, drugs that help fight auto-immune disorders and hormones that regulate menstrual bleeding are a few of the ways medications can help relieve the problem.
- Surgery. If low red blood cell counts are being caused by physical ailments, surgery might help. ...
- Blood Transfusions. ...
- Erythropoietin. ...
Why would RBC count decrease?
What does a lower than normal RBC count mean?
- Nutritional Deficiency. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, but lack of other nutrients can also cause your RBC count to decrease.
- Bone marrow failure. In rare cases, your bone marrow might stop making new blood cells. ...
- Hemolysis. Hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells.
- Chronic conditions. ...
- Other conditions
- Medications. ...
Where does RBC production take place?
Red Blood Cell Production. Red blood cell (RBC) production (erythropoiesis) takes place in the bone marrow under the control of the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). Juxtaglomerular cells in the kidney produce erythropoietin in response to decreased oxygen delivery (as in anemia and hypoxia) or increased levels of androgens.
How long do RBCs live?
RBCs survive about 120 days. They then lose their cell membranes and are then largely cleared from the circulation by the phagocytic cells of the spleen and liver. Hemoglobin is broken down primarily by the heme oxygenase system with conservation (and subsequent reutilization) of iron, degradation of heme to bilirubin through a series ...
Why is my RBC low?
In menstruating women, the most common cause of lower RBC levels is iron deficiency due to chronic blood loss resulting from menstruation. Click here for Patient Education.
What is the function of juxtaglomerular cells in the kidney?
Juxtaglomerular cells in the kidney produce erythropoietin in response to decreased oxygen delivery (as in anemia and hypoxia) or increased levels of androgens. In addition to erythropoietin, red blood cell production requires adequate supplies of substrates, mainly iron, vitamin B12, folate, and heme. RBCs survive about 120 days.