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I Got Back Bloodwork And Here Are The Results. RBC
Question: I got back bloodwork and here are the results. RBC 7.56, MCV 76.3, MCH 22.5. MCHC 29.5, RDW 20.8, hemoglobin 17.0 and hemocrit 57.7%. I've had similar results in the past and my doctor thinks I have thalassemia, but at 64 I've only experienced this for the last few years. I am a drinker, usually 4 drinks a day. Can this be causing the odd results?
Brief Answer:
Polycythemia needs to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on Ask A Doctor forum.
Your blood report shows elevated red blood cell count ( RBC) and high haemoglobin (Hb).
The red cell indices do not indicate any hemoglobinopathy like thallasemia.
I suggest you to get erythropoietin levels since I suspect polycythemia rather than hemoglobinopathy.
Erythropietin is a hormone like substance produced by bone marrow.
In primary polycythemia erythropoieitn level is elevated but normal on secondary polycythemia.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Polycythemia needs to be ruled out
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on Ask A Doctor forum.
Your blood report shows elevated red blood cell count ( RBC) and high haemoglobin (Hb).
The red cell indices do not indicate any hemoglobinopathy like thallasemia.
I suggest you to get erythropoietin levels since I suspect polycythemia rather than hemoglobinopathy.
Erythropietin is a hormone like substance produced by bone marrow.
In primary polycythemia erythropoieitn level is elevated but normal on secondary polycythemia.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
The reason I suspect alcohol is the culprit was because I went 30 days without a drink about a year ago. Before that my bloodwork looked similar to this current bloodwork. After 30 days of abstinence from alcohol the results were as follows: RBC 5.56, MCV 82.9, MCH 25.0, MCHC 30.2, RDW 15.1, hemoglobin 13.9, and hemocrit 46.1. Was that just coincidence?
Brief Answer:
Alcohol is unlikeky cause, PBS advised
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Alcohol is not the likely cause.
Alcohol tends to increase MCV however in your case MCV is on lower side.
MCV is a calculated parameter. It can be falsely low in conditions where RBC count is high.
In addition, I suggest you to get peripheral blood smear examination.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Alcohol is unlikeky cause, PBS advised
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Alcohol is not the likely cause.
Alcohol tends to increase MCV however in your case MCV is on lower side.
MCV is a calculated parameter. It can be falsely low in conditions where RBC count is high.
In addition, I suggest you to get peripheral blood smear examination.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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