[Chefkoch]

I always had rather low erythrocyte numbers and hemoglobin levels, and my blood is being analized at least once a year.

Yesterday's test revealed a decrease in erythrocyte count, down to 4.1millions/miroliter (the recommended levels are 4.2-5.4)
Also my hemoglobin level is quite low: around 13g/dl (12-16 recommended).

At the same time i feel fit, and while diving i feel strong as ever. I train freediving once a week, since 2000, and i have no other training except cycling to work and quite a bit of walking and hiking.
I feel strong and confident, doing 45m CW, 5mins static, regular deep hangs of more than a min @30m, and 2mins @20m. No overweight or other health issues, splendid blood tests, blood pressure a.s.o. No blackouts or any problems during or after dives. Else I'm a rather acidic guy, having early contractions, that gradually increase in intensity and frequency. My training goes into the hypercapnic direction, no hypoxic tables.

I'm quite puzzled here...is the weekly training not even enough to keep "normal" erythrocyte and hb levels? Is there no erythropoiesis trigger at all?

I read in one of umberto's books that he had very low erythrocyte and hb levels while he performed the 80m CW and 150m NL record dives.

So...is it anything to be concerned of?
Is this a common effect among freedivers?
Is there anything I should change, be it training/diet/lifestyle?
How important/beneficial are high ery/hb levels after all (specially in regard of umberto's account)