High Red Blood Cell Levels (Polycythemia) Types and Causes

Oxygen is vital for life but its circulation throughout the body is also crucial. Every cell in the body needs oxygen, which enters through the lungs and is absorbed into the bloodstream. It then has to be circulated throughout the body. Red blood cells (RBCs), also known as erythrocytes, are responsible for carrying gases through the bloodstream.

It has a type of protein known as hemoglobin which binds to oxygen and carbon dioxide to transport these gases throughout the body. The number of red blood cells in the bloodstream is carefully regulated. It is sufficient for the adequate transport of these gases. However, the amount of red blood cells can drastically increase in certain situations.

What is Polycythemia?

Polycythemia is an excess of red blood cells in the bloodstream. This is known as true polycythemia and occurs when some disease triggers the excessive production of red blood cells. True polycythemia leads to an elevated red blood cell count. This is not the only type of polycythemia.

Relative polycythemia or apparent polycythemia is where the total red blood cell count is normal but due to the lower plasma volume the hematocrit is higher. Hematocrit is the ratio of red blood cells to the volume of whole blood. This type of polycythemia is often caused by dehydration, either due to the excessive use of diuretics or alcohol.

Dangers of Polycythemia

Even though polycythemia may not cause any immediate problems and there are no signs or symptoms, there are certain dangers. The excess of red blood cells in the bloodstream increases the risk of clots forming. These cells may collide with each other, stick together and then form clots in the blood vessel.

A clot that forms and stays at one spot is known as a thrombus. It can block the blood flow to the area being supplied by the specific artery. Sometimes the clot may break away from the site where it forms. It is then known as an embolus. It can travel through the bloodstream to eventually become lodged somewhere in the circulation where it blocks blood to a specific area.

Causes and Types

Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and are manufactured from hematopoietic stem cells. The main stimulus for red blood cell production is hypoxia – a low oxygen state. If the blood cannot transport sufficient oxygen then the body responds by producing more red blood cells until the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood returns to normal.

Erythropoietin (Epo), a hormone primarily secreted by the kidney, has to also be present for red blood cell production. This hormone is constantly secreted to ensure that red blood cell production is maintained since old red blood cells are removed on an ongoing basis. If the hormone levels are abnormally high then red blood cell production is increased.

There are two types of polycythemia based on the cause – it may either be primary or secondary. In primary polycythemia, the disorder lies in the bone marrow and involves the stem cells. There is no other disease process causing the increased red blood cell production. With secondary polycythemia the increase in red blood cell production is due to diseases leading to hypoxia or abnormally high levels of erythropoietin.

Primary Polycythemia

A myeloproliferative disorder is when the body produces an excess of blood cells. Polycythemia vera is a type of myeloproliferative disorder resulting in too many red blood cells mainly but the white blood cell and platelet count is also elevated.

The exact cause of every case of polycythemia vera is unknown but in most cases, there is a mutation of Janus kinase-2 gene (JAK2) that causes cells to grow uncontrollably. Ongoing treatment is necessary as there is a constant risk of blockage of blood vessels.

Secondary Polycythemia

In this case, polycythemia may be due to hypoxia or a high level of erythropoietin. Hypoxia is where there is insufficient oxygen levels in the blood. To compensate the body produces more red blood cells. As discussed above, erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. The higher the erythropoietin levels, the more red blood cells are produced.

By correcting the hypoxia or high erythropoietin levels, the condition can be reversed. The red blood cell production returns to normal and the body breaks down the excess red blood cells. It is therefore important that polycythemia is investigated by a medical professional. The exact approach to treatment can then be determined. It may not always require medical treatment. Sometimes lifestyle changes may be sufficient.

Hypoxia

Oxygen availability has to be sufficient for every cell to function as its peak. When the oxygen is insufficient then the body has to respond, like breathing more rapidly or deeply. However, this is sometimes not sufficient. Due to a low oxygen availability, either within the environment or bloodstream, the body produces an excess of red blood cells. There is an elevation of erythropoietin (Epo) but only as a consequence of the prevailing hypoxia.

  • High altitude (physiological polycythemia)
  • Heavy cigarette smoking (smoker’s polycythemia)
  • Industrial – working in environmental conditions with decreased oxygen concentration
  • Lung/airway diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) : chronic bronchitis, emphysema
  • Chronic heart disease like congestive heart failure
  • Cyanotic heart disease (congenital)
  • Sleep apnea
  • Obesity (Pickwickian syndrome)

Abnormally High Erythropoietin

As mentioned, the hormone erythropoietin is needed to regulate red blood cell production in the bone marrow. There may be various causes of inappropriately high erythropoietin (Epo) levels in the bloodstream. It may be related to the disruption of the kidney’s erythropoietin secretion, Epo-secreting tumors or it is artificially induced or administered (exogenous).

  • Kidney disease
  • Cysts
  • Hydronephrosis
  • Tumors
  • Renal carcinoma (kidney)
  • Adrenal adenocarcinoma, pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland)
  • Hepatoma (liver)
  • Bronchogenic carcinoma (lung)
  • Benign uterine growths like uterine fibroids (uterus)
  • Cerebellar hemangioblastoma (brain)

Exogenous administration of Epo or blood cell transfusion is seen in some athletes who attempt to enhance their physical performance. It is believed that the higher red blood cell levels will increase oxygen availability and distribution will improve performance. Polycythemia may occur as a result of blood doping or the use of anabolic steroids.

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