Red Blood Cell Count

[hotbike]

I've been told by a doctor that my red blood cell count is a little bit high. Is it anything to worry about? I believe it's my bodys' natural reaction to the training I've been doing on my bike. Isn't the red cell count a factor in VO2 max? Don't racers 'dope" their blood with extra red blood cells by transfusion?

The Doc wants me to get a test to see if I have Polycythemia, which is the medical word for a high red blood cell count.

I am not too worried about it, I believe my body is adapting to the need for oxygen from the riding I've been doing. It also could be caused by dehydration, and I smoke an occasional cigar.

Is there a Sports Physiologist in the house?

[timmhaan]

try posting in training\nutrition, i think you'll get better answers there.

[ghettocruiser]

Is it high enough to get you DQ'd from races? :D

[genec]

I've been told by a doctor that my red blood cell count is a little bit high. Is it anything to worry about? I believe it's my bodys' natural reaction to the training I've been doing on my bike. Isn't the red cell count a factor in VO2 max? Don't racers 'dope" their blood with extra red blood cells by transfusion?

The Doc wants me to get a test to see if I have Polycythemia, which is the medical word for a high red blood cell count.

I am not too worried about it, I believe my body is adapting to the need for oxygen from the riding I've been doing. It also could be caused by dehydration, and I smoke an occasional cigar.

Is there a Sports Physiologist in the house?

I agree with the other response... this is the wrong subforum.

And what the heck, do the test anyway... it may show nothing...

But as an aside... my resting heart rate is so low that I often am questioned by nurses when I go in for any routine work... "my my, 44... uh, is your heartrate always this slow... "

"Well I was just sitting in the lobby, reading... not exactly a workout... "

[San Rensho]

I assume you are talking about your hematocrit level. Theres a "normal" range, with a high and a low number. Did he say you are above the high number or did he say you were near the high end of the range? If you are above the high end, then I would look into it. If your hematocrit is near the high end, but within the range, then brag about it to your cycling friends about it.

[woody_1029]

I've been told by a doctor that my red blood cell count is a little bit high. Is it anything to worry about? I believe it's my bodys' natural reaction to the training I've been doing on my bike. Isn't the red cell count a factor in VO2 max? Don't racers 'dope" their blood with extra red blood cells by transfusion?

The Doc wants me to get a test to see if I have Polycythemia, which is the medical word for a high red blood cell count.

I am not too worried about it, I believe my body is adapting to the need for oxygen from the riding I've been doing. It also could be caused by dehydration, and I smoke an occasional cigar.

Is there a Sports Physiologist in the house?

High? based on what as normal? Your previous counts or the general population? If you train regularly, then compared to the general population, you will may be a "little bit high" as a physiological adaptation to your training will make your RBC count higher than those who do not train regularly. If you had your blood tested a couple of days after an extremely hard workout, this may also explain the "little bit high" test results.

[hotbike]

Yes, thanks for the replies.
I think the red blood cell count is the result of the long rides I've been going on.

I'm not really worried about it. Like I've been saying, I have more stamina now than at any time in the past ten years. The RBC count would be natural.

[Crash716]

it can be indicative of some other problems...kidney problems...and some other stuff...i only know this cause my friend has a really low heart rate and a high RBC count and found out that he has a cyst growing on his kidney's...and they have to do biopsy...

why not just let them do the test...if all is well, no harm no foul...if it isn't..as with most medical finds...the earlier the better!!

good luch bro.