The normal value of human red blood cells is (4.0-5.5) × 1012/L for adult males and (3.5-5.0) × 1012/L for adult females. When the red blood cell count is consistently higher than this normal value, it is called erythrocytosis.
There are many causes of erythrocyte increase, mainly including the following two aspects: 1, relative increase in erythrocytes: mostly due to the loss of water in the body, blood concentration resulting in relative increase in erythrocytes, seen in severe vomiting and diarrhea, massive sweating, large burns, diabetic ketoacidosis.
2, absolute increase in erythrocytes: that is, the clinical term erythrocytosis, including ① secondary erythrocytosis, seen in cyanotic preconditioning, obstructive emphysema, pulmonary heart disease, newborns or those living on the plateau, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian cancer fibroids or hydronephrosis. Primary erythropoiesis is seen in clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders also known as true erythropoietic disorders, and erythropoietic disorders caused by mutations in the erythropoietin (EPO) receptor gene.
Mild erythropoiesis lacks specific clinical manifestations, but prolonged or large increases in erythropoietic cells can cause various dangers to the body.
On the one hand, the increase in red blood cells in the blood causes an increase in the total volume of blood in the body, resulting in a polycythemic face with purple-red skin and mucous membranes, especially in the cheeks, lips, tongue, tip of the nose, neck and the ends of the limbs, and significant congestion of the conjunctiva. It is also because of the increased blood volume in patients that about half of the patients with hypererythrocytemia have a combination of hypertension, dizziness, drowsiness and other discomforts, and in severe cases, complications such as heart disease and proteinuria.
On the other hand, increased red blood cells in the blood can lead to increased blood viscosity and manifestations of slow blood flow and tissue hypoxia, such as headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, fatigue, forgetfulness, tinnitus, visual impairment and numbness of the extremities. In severe cases, extremely slow blood flow has the possibility of thrombosis, even causing cerebral infarction, heart attack and other thromboembolic events.
In addition, since some of the aging red blood cells in the body need to be removed through the spleen, increased red blood cells may lead to hypersplenism and splenomegaly, causing abdominal distension, constipation and other discomforts.
To sum up, when high red blood cells are caused by the above reasons or when high red blood cell manifestations occur, it is important to seek timely medical attention to avoid aggravating the condition and causing unnecessary harm.