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Can a miscarriage or smoking cause high red blood cell count?

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Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have just received results back from a blood test that says my red blood cell count is quite high. I am a 35-year-old female and I am a smoker (between four to seven a day). I began to get headaches, dizzy spells, nausea, fatigue, and itchiness all over the past five weeks. I do not know whether or not a miscarriage could count towards what is going on or not but I would like to know what I should do. My doctor just said to quit smoking and come back in 12 weeks for another test.

Answered by Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

High RBC (red blood cell) count can be due to the smoking habit. In smoking, oxygen delivery to tissue is decreased. So RBC is elevated by increased erythropoietin. Headache and dizziness in your case also seem to be due to smoking. So, it is advisable to stop smoking immediately. To rule out a miscarriage, you can investigate with ultrasonography of the pelvis and urine hCG card test.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At October 13, 2018
Reviewed At September 6, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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