Can Kidney Stones Cause Elevated Red Blood Cells?
Polycythemia vera (abnormally high RBCs) can cause kidney stones
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
There is a condition named polycythemia vera and this is associated with abnormally high red blood cells. Polycythemia vera is a rare, chronic disorder involving the overproduction of blood cells in the bone marrow (myeloproliferation). The abnormal proliferation of red blood cells may also cause peptic ulcers, gout, and kidney stones. Research shows that kidney stone associated with polycythemia vera occur due to the high turnover of red blood cells, which results in higher-than-normal uric acid production.
Therefore kidney stones can be caused by polycythemia vera which is a condition causing abnormally elevated red blood cells.
Kidney stones big enough to cause urinary obstruction can increase RBCs
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
I would like to make a clarification on that.
Kidney stones which are big enough to cause obstruction to passage of urine within the kidney, might lead to release of a hormone erythropoietin causing polycythemia or increase in number of red blood cells. However this happens in only some patients and not in everyone who has kidney stones causing obstruction.
This is different from polycythemia vera that was discussed earlier.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
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Regards,
Dr.Vivek