Having too many red blood cells can lead to a condition called polycythemia vera, which is a type of blood cancer. This condition causes the bone marrow to produce too many red blood cells, which can thicken the blood and slow its flow, leading to complications such as blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. The excess red blood cells can also overwork the spleen, leading to swelling and soreness. High red blood cell turnover can also produce high uric acid levels in the body, which can contribute to secondary conditions such as kidney stones and gout. Additionally, too many red blood cells can lead to more stomach acid, which can cause stomach ulcers. In rare cases, polycythemia vera can lead to other blood diseases, including a progressive disorder in which bone marrow is replaced with scar tissue, a condition in which stem cells dont mature or function properly, or cancer of the blood.
It is important to talk to a healthcare provider if you have a high red blood cell count, as it can indicate certain health conditions and disorders. The underlying cause of the high red blood cell count will need to be determined through testing, and treatment will depend on the cause. In the case of polycythemia vera, treatment may involve procedures such as phlebotomy to remove blood from the body, or medications to stop the bone marrow from producing too many blood cells. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or reducing alcohol intake may also help in cases of apparent erythrocytosis, where the red cell count is normal but the blood is thicker due to a reduced amount of plasma.
