Lecture: Physiology of Blood

2. Polycythemia - excess RBC count, causes thick blood. a. polycythemia vera - bone marrow problem; hematocrit may jump to 80%. b. secondary polycythemia - high altitude (normal); or too much erythropoietin release. c. blood doping in athletes - RBCs previously withdrawn are transfused before an event; more RBCs, more oxygen delivery to the ... ................
................