What does rbc high mean

Various medical conditions associated with generalized hypoxia or overproduction of red blood cells typically cause a high red blood cell count , including:. People with polycythemia vera may not show any symptoms.

Dean L. Blood and the Cells It Contains. Accessed June 8, Multiple Myeloma and Anemia. International Myeloma Foundation. Accessed Dec. Polycythemia vera. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Lee G, et al. The clinical and laboratory evaluation of the patient with erythrocytosis. European Journal of Internal Medicine.

Marx JA, et al. Anemia, polycythemia, and white blood cells disorders. Philadelphia, Pa. Tefferi A, et al. Essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera: Focus on clinical practice. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Lee G, et al. The clinical and laboratory evaluation of the patient with erythrocytosis. European Journal of Internal Medicine. Marx JA, et al. Anemia, polycythemia, and white blood cells disorders. Philadelphia, Pa.

Tefferi A, et al. Essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera: Focus on clinical practice. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Connolly HM. Medical management of cyanotic congenital heart disease in adults. Hoffman R, et al.

A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

There is very little risk to having a blood test. There may be slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

Your results will show whether you have a normal red blood cell count or a count that is too low or too high. It may also be a sign of pregnancy. Learn more about laboratory tests, references ranges, understanding results. If results showed you had a low or a high red blood cell count, you may need more tests to help make a diagnosis.

These include:. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.