high red blood cell count

[Brevie]

why is my red blood cell count high

[LMor]

I don’t think anyone can answer that direct question. Maybe if you gave us a little bit about your background then someone may be able to help & answer you.

[10gingercats in reply to LMor]

It is usual in the uk for your GP to let you know the reason for this re. your health situation.

[jeanjeannie50]

It may be an idea to type that question into Google. Or do you think it may be high because you have AF?

[jedimasterlincoln]

Medical conditions that can cause an increase in red blood cells include: Heart failure, causing low blood oxygen levels. Congenital heart disease (born with it) Polycythemia vera (a blood disorder in which the bone marrow produces too many red blood cells.

How do you know your red blood cells are high and did the news come with any additional information?

[MarkS]

It's possible you could have haemochromatosis. It's worth getting tested for that. Haemochromatosis can also cause AF, assuming you have that. Treatment is blood drawing to reduce the number of red blood cells, but we are a bit short of information....

[Flimmeri]

I have had Afib for years!! And also have high red blood cells. I was diagnosed with Polycythemia (type of slow processing blood cancer), 13 years ago. I get phlebotomy every two months, sometimes sooner. Nobody has ever mentioned that AF could cause it. But I do feel when my blood gets very viscose, close to blood letting, I do get more episodes.

As it's been mentioned here, there are other reasons that can cause high red blood cell count. Talk to your doctor, that's where you get the best answer.

Good luck to you!

[Palpman]

Not sure why mine has been high for many years.

Red blood cells and iron go hand in hand and both mine are high.

I was tested for hemachromatosis but did not have both mutated genes required but did do phlebotomy a few times and my red blood cells seem fine now.

Still waiting for the Jak2 test though.

MRI scan showed excess iron in my liver although my heart is fine.

This is as far as my tests went before Covid.

[whiteface]

Does it matter?

I remember returning from the Olympic games to resume work. I had a full medical which concluded that I was anaemic (i.e. low red blood cells). I then ran a marathon in 2 hr 53 min.

If you feel fit and healthy then you probably are. If you don't fee fit and healthy, then are you living that lifestyle? If not, you might want to start there.