Term for Increased Total RBC Mass

The increase in the total red blood cell mass of the blood termed as-

Correct Answer: Polycythemia

Polycythemia is the abnormal increase in total RBC mass of the blood (elevated RBC count, hemoglobin, and PCV).

RBC-Related Terminology

• Anemia: Deficiency of RBCs or hemoglobin (or both)
• Polycythemia: Increase in total RBC mass
• Anisocytosis: Unequal size of RBCs (e.g., iron-deficiency anemia — mixture of small and normal RBCs)
• Poikilocytosis: Abnormally shaped RBCs (e.g., sickle cells, target cells, acanthocytes)

Types of Polycythemia

• Relative: Decreased plasma volume (dehydration) → apparent ↑ in RBC concentration
• Absolute:
  • Primary (Polycythemia vera): Bone marrow overproduces RBCs autonomously
  • Secondary: ↑ erythropoietin due to chronic hypoxia (high altitude, lung disease)

Anemia Types

• Normocytic Normochromic: chronic disease
• Microcytic Hypochromic: iron deficiency
• Macrocytic Hyperchromic: Vitamin B₁₂ / folic acid / cobalt deficiency
• Aplastic: lack of functional bone marrow