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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffHigh hemoglobin count may occur because:
- Red blood cell production increases to compensate for low blood oxygen levels due to poor heart or lung function
- Your kidneys release too much of a protein (erythropoietin, or EPO) that enhances red blood cell production
- You've taken drugs that stimulate red blood cell production
- A bone marrow dysfunction results in an increased production of red blood cells
- Red blood cell production increases to compensate for a limited oxygen supply in higher altitudes
Specific disorders or other factors that may cause high hemoglobin count include:
- Anabolic steroids, which stimulate red blood cell production
- Congenital heart disease
- COPD
- Dehydration
- Emphysema
- EPO doping — injections of erythropoietin (EPO) to enhance athletic performance
- Heart failure
- Kidney cancer
- Living at a high altitude, where there's less oxygen in the air
- Other types of heart disease
- Other types of lung disease
- Polycythemia vera
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Smoking, which may result in low blood oxygen levels
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
