Can Rogain Cause An Elevated Red Blood Cell Count?
Hello Dr William, I m using minoxidil 5% spray and recently I had a cbc and found elevated red blood cell counts. Could it be a side effect of minoxidil 5%?
Throughout the years of answering BaldingBlog, I often do not understand how one correlate one phenomenon with another. Elevated red blood cell count can be due to many causes and Rogaine use is not among them. In fact a rare side effect with the oral use may be a slight DECREASE in the red blood cell count which returns back to normal.
Taken from the MayoClinic website:
A high RBC count may occur because:
Red blood cell production increases to compensate for low oxygen levels due to poor heart or lung function
Red blood cell production increases to compensate for lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes
The kidneys release too much of a protein (erythropoietin, or EPO) that enhances red blood cell production
The bone marrow is producing too many red blood cells
The oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells is reduced
The loss of blood plasma (the liquid component of blood), often due to sodium and water depletion, results in the appearance of higher levels of red blood cells
Anabolic steroids, which stimulate red blood cell production
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Congenital heart disease in adults
COPD
Dehydration
EPO doping (injections of erythropoietin (EPO) to enhance athletic performance)
Heart failure
Hemoglobinopathies (conditions present at birth that impair the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells)
Kidney cancer
Kidney transplant
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
Sleep apnea
Smoking, which may result in low blood oxygen levels
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