What causes elevated levels of hemoglobin and RBC?

Question

Hi doctor,

My blood test showed elevated levels of hemoglobin of 18.5 g/dL, elevated bilirubin of 3.7 mg/dL, and slightly elevated RBCs of 6.1 million/mcL.

What is the cause?
I do not have any symptoms. I went on a trip to the mountains for several days before doing this blood test. Does it relate to it?

Please help.

Thank you,

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your hemoglobin and RBC (red blood cell) levels are slightly elevated. The PCV (packed cell volume) value is on the borderline. All the other reports are normal except for raised bilirubin. You can have secondary polycythemia due to the trip to a high altitude.

So, yes, mountain visits can be the cause of having elevated hemoglobin and RBC. Drink more water, three liters a day, and repeat your CBC (complete blood count) report after a few days. Mostly HB (hemoglobin) and RBC will fall within the limit after a few days.

Your bilirubin value is raised. However, your SGOT (aspartate transaminase) and SGPT (alanine transaminase) levels are normal. It suggests that raised bilirubin is not due to liver infection. If your total bilirubin remains high for a few days, then you need to do serum LDH (lactic acid dehydrogenase) estimation, HB electrophoresis, urine examination, and PS (peripheral smear) blood examination to screen for hemolysis.

If there is no cause, then raised bilirubin can be non-specific, and it can be present from birth in you. Revert with reports of CBC and bilirubin estimation with both direct and indirect levels.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You are right. Magnesium intake can also cause an elevation in the levels of hemoglobin and RBC, according to a few studies that have been done in people taking magnesium. So, along with high altitude, intake of magnesium also seems to be the reason for elevated hemoglobin and RBC. Drink more water and stop taking magnesium supplements for a few days.

I hope it helps.

Thank you.