Why lan Forsythe, a middle-aged college professor from Boston, was in the Swiss
ID: 819758 • Letter: W
Question
Why lan Forsythe, a middle-aged college professor from Boston, was in the Swiss Alps studying astronomy during his sabbatical leave. He had been there for two days and planned to stay the entire year. However, he initially noticed that he was short of breath when he walked up steps and tired easily with any physical activity. His symptoms gradually disappeared, and after two months he felt fine.Upon returning to the United States, he comes into the Hematology clinic and is told that his erythrocyte count is higher than normal. (a) Attempt to explain this finding (b) Will his RBC count remain at this highter-than-normal level? Why or why not? Why lan Forsythe, a middle-aged college professor from Boston, was in the Swiss Alps studying astronomy during his sabbatical leave. He had been there for two days and planned to stay the entire year. However, he initially noticed that he was short of breath when he walked up steps and tired easily with any physical activity. His symptoms gradually disappeared, and after two months he felt fine.
Upon returning to the United States, he comes into the Hematology clinic and is told that his erythrocyte count is higher than normal. (a) Attempt to explain this finding (b) Will his RBC count remain at this highter-than-normal level? Why or why not?
Explanation / Answer
When you move to a higher altitude the oxygen levels are greatly reduced, this is the reason a person would breath much harder if they were not acclimated. So it is actually the kidneys that produce a hormone called erythropoieten that controls the rate of red blood cell production by the bone marrow. In high alt. the levels of this hormone increase as will the levels of RBC production. This is how the body can better function at high alts. over time. Yes this person would then have an increased RBC count, and if that person moves to a lower alt. then with time the RBC count will reduce.
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