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High RBC, HCTZ, HGB And Platelets Count. Taking Numerous Supplements. Could This Be The Reason?

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Posted on Wed, 30 Oct 2013
Twitter Wed, 30 Oct 2013 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 20 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on
Question : a recent lab showed increased rbc's, hctz., hgb., and platelets. I have been giving platelets, last time about 5 months ago, and have been taking numerous supplements...maybe too much folic acid? Otherwise, healthy...propranolol 40mg and hydrodiruil 25, bid,for hypertension. exercise at the gym 5x a week..don't drink or smoke.
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Answered by Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Supplements perhaps, but need further testing Detailed Answer: Dear patient, Thanks for your query. In some circumstances, supplementation with B12 and folate can increase RBC production, but for your and your doctor's peace of mind, the main thing that needs to be ruled out is if these increases in numbers are related to increased automatic bone marrow production of cells, such as in leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes. A great start is to obtain a peripheral blood morphology, also called peripheral smear, and depending on what it shows, if suspicious, it is usually followed by a bone marrow aspiration and examination. Another possibility of course, is just to watch the counts in a few weeks after going down on the supplements. Yours truly, Dr Brenes-Salazar MD Mayo Clinic MN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar

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High RBC, HCTZ, HGB And Platelets Count. Taking Numerous Supplements. Could This Be The Reason?

Brief Answer: Supplements perhaps, but need further testing Detailed Answer: Dear patient, Thanks for your query. In some circumstances, supplementation with B12 and folate can increase RBC production, but for your and your doctor's peace of mind, the main thing that needs to be ruled out is if these increases in numbers are related to increased automatic bone marrow production of cells, such as in leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes. A great start is to obtain a peripheral blood morphology, also called peripheral smear, and depending on what it shows, if suspicious, it is usually followed by a bone marrow aspiration and examination. Another possibility of course, is just to watch the counts in a few weeks after going down on the supplements. Yours truly, Dr Brenes-Salazar MD Mayo Clinic MN