Hb amounts in RBC's

[raffster2]

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Would the amount of hemoglobin per red blood cell be greater in someone who lives at a higher altitude, or the same? I thought the amount of Hb would be the same per red blood cell, but the number of red blood cells would be greater in someone who lives at a higher altitude. Number 99 on BR 8 says that Hb concentration per cell would be greater in someone who lives at a higher altitude, but i'm skeptical. Can anyone clear this up? Thanks

 

[vayntraubinator]

Your body adapts to the high altitude with both increasing RBCs and hemoglobin content (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_corpuscular_hemoglobin_concentration) from what I remember

 

[Phlame217]

Short term reaction is a higher 2,3-BPG content and increased RBC count
Long term results in high Hb content per RBC

 

[Kimchii]

Hb has a limited number of slots but since its a protein more of it can be made by the cell before it loses its nucleus. It makes sense that the body would try to increase oxygen carrying capacity through multiple methods.