Absolute erythrocytosis" is where your body produces too many red blood cells. There are 2 main types:

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – this can cause an increase in erythropoietin, due to not enough oxygen reaching the body's tissues interferon – this medicine is given by injection into the abdomen or thigh 1 to 3 times a week. You can inject it yourself at home once you've become familiar with how to do it. Interferon has the advantage that it can be taken in pregnancy, but it may cause unpleasant side effects, such as hair loss and flu-like symptoms

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Many different medicines are available and your specialist will take into account your age and health, response to venesection and red blood cell count when choosing the most appropriate one for you. Examples include:

Treatment for erythrocytosis aims to prevent symptoms and complications (such as blood clots), and treat any underlying causes. Venesection (removing blood)

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Some people may also need treatment for any other symptoms or complications of erythrocytosis they have, or for any underlying cause of the condition.

For people assigned male at birth, 4.7 million to 6.1 million red blood cells per microliter of blood. primary erythrocytosis – there's a problem in the cells produced by the bone marrow that become red blood cells; the most common type is known as polycythaemia vera Polycythemia vera (a rare blood cancer in which your bone marrow produces too many red blood cells).Healthcare providers measure your red blood cell count to diagnose medical conditions and learn more about your health. What’s considered normal may vary depending on where you’re tested. But in general, normal red blood cell counts are: