What does it mean when your RBC are high?

What does a high RBC count mean?

• Answer:

  Usually means nothing if it is slightly elevated. If it is incredibly elevated (like hematocrit of 100) that could be a sign of polycythemia vera (a type of blood cancer). However, these people usually have other severe complaints like severe flushing, susceptibility to infection, change of skin tone to more reddish hue. other things that can cause increases in RBC could be dehydration and drugs. If you are severely dehydrated, you lose vascular fluid content and the blood can become thicker which would yield a high RBC count. drugs like EPO, which many cyclers and long distance athletes abuse, can also cause increase. However, if your RBC is slightly above the reference range, then it is most likely nothing. Keep in mind reference ranges are just that: ranges for a population (ie 95% of population), so being slightly above or below can be normal, meaning you're in the upper 2.5% or lower 2.5%. Regardless, if you are concerned, you should discuss this with your doctor.