Erythrolysis on return of altitude acclimatized individuals to sea level.

Abstract

From simple consideration of the rate of return of the red blood cell count and the hemoglobin level to normal following high altitude polycythemia in a group of mountain sojourners, and from evidence in the literature, support is given for the concept of two separate mechanisms-a decrease in the rate of erythropoiesis and an increase in the rate of erythrolysis-to account for the restoration of the blood hemoglobin to normal. Submitted on February 13, 1956