What might cause the body to create more blood cells?

Answer 1

Causes of a raised red cell count

Absolute erythrocytosis may be caused by an abnormality within the red blood cells (primary erythrocytosis) or by another condition (secondary erythrocytosis). A raised red cell count most often develops from another disease. Usually, this is because a problem outside of the bone marrow stimulates the production of red blood cells. These diseases can be split into two main groups: * those that cause low oxygen levels in the blood, for example from blockage to a kidney artery or lung disease. * those that cause enhanced erythropoietin production, for example because of a tumour. Erythropoietin is the hormone that regulates the production of red blood cells. Less often it occurs due to an abnormality of the red cells in the bone marrow itself, otherwise known as polycythaemia rubra vera (PV). Genes and raised red cell count It is rare for a person to inherit an erythrocytosis - either as a problem within the red cells themselves or one of the conditions that causes it. Congenital red cell disorders are caused by a mutation in: * the erythropoietin cell receptor that stimulates the synthesis of red cells * the von Hippel Lindau protein that affects the production of erythropoietin * proline dehydroxylase enzymes that also affect the quantity of erythropoietin. Other inherited disorders include: * a type of haemoglobin that binds more tightly to oxygen; a lower concentration of a compound called 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (2,3,DPG). In both, less oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the body. The body then compensates by increasing the total quantity of haemoglobin and thus red cells. * a higher-than-normal level of erythropoietin.

Answer 2

For white blood cells, you cannot control the cell division rate as they have nucleus and can replicate. For red blood cells, you can control the reproduction rate (they do not undergo cell division) by eating more healthy food so that your bone marrow can replenish the red blood cells.

Answer 3

Increased oxygen demand may cause the body to create more blood cells. For instance, smokers or people living at altitude have higher red blood cell counts to provide the body with adequate oxygen.