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Forum Name: Hematology Topics

Question: Elevated RBC, Hematocrit, Hemoglobin - significant?

evfc - Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:34 am

I have been feeling EXHAUSTED lately and went to my doctor. I am a 38 year old female. No history of smoking. I live at sea level. I am not on medication. Otherwise healthy. My doctor ran bloodwork and the following came back: RBC 5. 35 (normal 3. 80-4. 80) Hemoglobin 152 (normal 120-150) Hematocrit .52 (not sure what normal range is) Neutrophils 1. 9 (normal 2. 0-7. 0) Everything else was within normal range. This has happened in the past where my RBC, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit were elevated and my neutrophils were low (as low as 1. 2 at one point) but my RBC have never been this high. They seem to cycle together. Then they return to a more normal level though my red cell counts are always right at the very top of normal and my neutrophil counts are at the very bottom of normal. Is a cycling of these counts normal? Are the RBC significantly elevated that I should be concerned about them? Could my blood levels be causing the fatigue? Thanks for any help you can offer. Evelyn

Dr. Safaa Mahmoud - Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:28 am

Hello, Cyclic neutropenia is considered if on serial differential blood counts a typical cyclical pattern of blood neutrophils count is seen. (at least 3 times per week over six weeks) to search for the disease. Other blood cells, such as platelets or red cells may also with a cyclical pattern. Cyclic neutropenia may be sporadically, or run in families . Patients with clinically significant cyclic neutropenia (ANC less than 200 cells/µl) (0. 2 x 109/l) may have some symptoms with each cycle, but significant infections are infrequent. The increase in the red blood cell count is not high enough to search for a cuase for primary erythrocytosis (RBCs or bone marrow causes), however, an apparent erythrocytosis( red cells are more concentrated), can be considered. Causes include: stress. high blood pressure obesity fluid loss, Diuretics (water pills) smoking The increase is usually temporary and resolve once the cause is treated. I advise you to follow up with your Doctor. Keep us updated.

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