Is there any way to bring up your red blood cell count, apart from getting a transfusion?

Answer 1

Erythropoietin, (EPO), a glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by cells of the peritubular capillary endothelium of the kidney, is responsible for the regulation of red blood cell production. Secondary amounts of the hormone are synthesized in liver hepatocytes of healthy adults. In premature as well as full term infants, the liver is the primary site of EPO production. The kidney becomes the primary site of EPO synthesis shortly after birth. EPO production is stimulated by reduced oxygen content in the renal arterial circulation. Circulating EPO binds to EPO receptors on the surface of erythroid progenitors resulting in replication and maturation to functional erythrocytes by an incompletely understood mechanism.

but IMO, transfusion is still your best bet..

Answer 2

If your level is not too low you may just work with the iron supplements. You can have a low RBC count and your Hemoglobin and Hematocrit (H & H) are still above transfusion levels. If your body runs with a low RBC count normally, it may just be you. When you have any blood work done the lab will do a CBC, especially if you're having symptoms of anemia. We'll look at the cells and check your counts and H & H. If you're not running incredibly low you will not be considered for transfusion. I would suggest talking to a doctor about other blood work. Transfusions are very safe, but there is always a risk. I would suggest the supplement route until it is imperitive that you are transfused.

I wish you the best of luck!!

Answer 3

It depends what the problem is that is keeping you from having enough. If you're missing iron, folic acid or vitamin B-12, supplementation of whatever is missing helps you make new, better red blood cells.

If the problem is blood loss, the bone marrow can be stimulated to make more red blood cells with erythropoeitin, which is given in a shot. The shot kicks the marrow into high gear, and it starts making lots of young red blood cells. In a few days to weeks (I'm not sure which), they'll mature and will be able to carry oxygen better than the brand new cells.

Answer 4

Probably only through altitude training or being really fit, althouh if you need to do this in the short term I guess a transfusion would be the quickest way! (Did you mean RBC count or haemoglobin? To raise haemoglobin, you will either need to take more iron or more folate in your diet depending on the deficiency you have, ask your doctor for more!)

Answer 5

Going to high altitude for a while will increase your blood count. Also, certain deficiencies can cause anemia (low blood counts), and IF you have one, then correcting it should raise your counts. Such deficiencies could be: Iron, folic acid, or B12. ONLY take iron under a doctor's advice.

Answer 6

apart from getting a blood transfusion and all those medicines and medical mumbo-jumbo, try eating a lot of animal liver (cooked of course!), clams, oysters, dried beans and peas, bitter guord. be sure to take foods rich in vitamin c also because it is needed for better absorption of iron.

Answer 7

Living in a higher elevation, since the oxygen concentration decreases as you move up in elevation. The body produces more RBCs and therefore more hemoglobin to make up for the lack of oxygen. It is very common for athletes to take this approach to increase their endurance's.

Answer 8

Yes. Sometimes you need to take more iron. However, if you kidneys are not telling your bone marrow to make more red blood cells, then you can take injections of a hormone called erythropoietin.

Answer 9

Erythropoietin, high altitude, exercise, Spleenectomy i.e. removal of the spleen - the graveyard of RBCs.

Answer 10

try working out and getting some excercise, this will signal ur body to produce more RBC's for a more efficient transport of O2.