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How do you know if you have polycythemia vera?
How does polycythemia affect blood clots?
How is polycythemia diagnosed?
What are the different types of polycythemia?
What is primary polycythemia?
How does polycythemia vera affect the body?
Erythrocytosis, also known as polycythaemia, is a condition where you have too many red blood cells in your blood. This can cause symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, bleeding problems and blood clots. Learn about the different types, diagnosis and treatments of erythrocytosis.
- Overview
- What is polycythemia?
- What is the main cause of polycythemia?
- What are the symptoms of polycythemia?
- How is polycythemia diagnosed?
- How is polycythemia treated?
- Is polycythemia a serious illness?
- What is the life expectancy of someone with polycythemia?
- Summary
Polycythemia is an increase of red blood cells in the body. The extra cells cause the blood to be thicker, and this, in turn, increases the risk of other health issues, such as blood clots.
Polycythemia can have different causes, each of which has its own treatment options. The treatment of polycythemia involves treating any underlying conditions, if possible, and finding ways to bring blood cell levels down.
Polycythemia is a condition characterized by an abnormal rise in red blood cells in the body. This increase manifests through increased levels of hemoglobin above the normal levels for the person’s age and gender.
According to the Red Cross, normal hemoglobin levels for males assigned at birth (MAAB) are 13.5-17.5 grams per deciliter (g/dL). For females assigned at birth (FAAB), the range is 12.0-15.5 g/dL.
Another way to look at it is by looking at the percentage that red blood cells make up in the blood. In adult MAABs, this should be 41-50%, whereas in FAABs the range is 36%-44%.
The ranges for children, older adults, and people who are pregnant vary. The ranges can also vary based on geographic location, ethnicity, and altitude. In newborns, doctors will suspect polycythemia if their values are 65% and above 22 g/dL
Primary polycythemia
Primary polycythemia is also called polycythemia vera (PV). PV is a rare, slow-growing blood cancer that is a type of condition known as a myeloproliferative neoplasm. PV causes the bone marrow to create excess precursor blood cells that develop and function abnormally, leading to the production of too many red blood cells. A person with PV may also have increased numbers of other blood cells, such as white blood cells or platelets.
Secondary polycythemia
Secondary polycythemia can occur if the increase in red blood cells is not due to the myeloproliferative disease of PV. The overproduction of blood cells in secondary polycythemia is limited to the red blood cells. Causes of secondary polycythemia include: •being at a very high altitude •obstructive sleep apnea •certain types of tumor •heart or lung disease that causes a low oxygen level in the body
Risk factors
Some people may be more at risk than others of primary polycythemia. The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences notes that most cases of PV appear as a person ages, usually around the age of 60 years. They also note that it is more common in men than in women. PV is not necessarily hereditary, and most people with the disease do not have a family history of PV. However, there appears to be a connection to a certain genetic mutation. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society notes that almost all individuals with PV have a mutation in the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene. However, the precise role that it plays in the condition is still unclear. Other gene mutations, such as that of the TET2 gene, may also have an association with this condition. Most of the time, these genes are not hereditary, but in some rare cases, they may pass from a parent to their child in the sperm or egg. Anyone with a family history of PV may still wish to see a doctor for an evaluation.
It is not uncommon for a person to have polycythemia and be unaware of it. Symptoms tend to build very slowly over time.
Having too many red blood cells thickens the blood, which makes healthy blood flow more difficult. It can also increase a person’s risk of blood clots. This risk is especially high if a person with PV has an excess of both red blood cells and platelets.
A doctor may discover the condition during a routine blood examination or when following up on another condition.
The symptoms of PV may become more apparent over time. More common symptoms include:
•dizziness or vertigo
•headaches
Blood tests
Blood tests, such as a complete blood count, will reveal any increase in red blood cells or hemoglobin in the bloodstream, as well as any abnormal levels of platelets and white blood cells. If PV seems possible, a doctor will order more specific blood tests.
Bone marrow biopsy
If necessary, the doctor may also want to remove some bone marrow on which to perform tests in a lab. A bone marrow biopsy involves taking a small sample of the bone marrow with a needle for examination under a microscope.
Genetic tests
Although genetic causes of PV are rare, doctors may also want to analyze the person’s bone marrow for genetic mutations that have links to PV. They may also recommend examining cells in the blood for JAK2 mutation.
Treatment for polycythemia will depend on the underlying cause of the condition.
In people with secondary polycythemia resulting from causes such as obstructive sleep apnea, treating the underlying cause should help resolve the high red blood cell count.
PV, however, is a chronic condition that has no known cure. The treatment for PV aims to manage the condition by reducing both the red blood cell count and the risk of complications, such as blood clots. If the platelet count is too high, there are ways to treat this as well.
Treatment options for PV can include:
Polycythemia can be managed with treatment. However, certain complications can turn into a life-threatening condition.
Complications related to polycythemia are usually excessive bleeding or blood clots in either the arteries or the veins. This can become life-threatening if not immediately treated.
Determining the underlying type of polycythemia helps doctors know how best to treat or manage the issue. If treatment is possible, the person should make a full recovery.
In cases of PV, treatment will focus on managing the condition and symptoms, as there is currently no cure. However, in most cases, the person will have a normal or nearly normal quality of life, and doctors can effectively manage the condition for a very long time.
Polycythemia is an increase in the number of red blood cells in the body. Doctors may discover it as part of a routine blood check, or they might diagnose it once the person starts experiencing symptoms.
PV is a chronic condition with no known cure. However, effective treatment can help sufficiently manage the disease and its symptoms.
Learn how to diagnose polycythaemia/erythrocytosis, a condition characterised by high red blood cell mass, based on history, examination, and blood tests. Find out the common symptoms, such as chest and abdominal pain, headache, and fatigue, and the possible causes, such as obesity, smoking, and cardiopulmonary disease.
Feb 11, 2022 · Polycythemia vera is a rare blood cancer that causes too many red blood cells, thickening your blood and increasing your risk of clots. Learn about the signs, causes, risk factors and possible complications of this disease, and how to get diagnosed and treated.
Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow. Bone marrow is where blood cells are made. In PV, the body makes too many red blood cells. This can make the blood thicker than normal. Some people with PV also have too many white blood cells and platelets in their blood. Having too many red blood cells increases ...
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a blood disorder that causes your body to produce too many red blood cells. Too many red blood cells can make your blood thick and sluggish and increase your risk of blood clots and complications such as heart attack and stroke. It can also cause vague but irritating symptoms, such as skin itchiness, ringing in your ...
Erythrocytosis describes having too many red blood cells (a solid part) in relation to plasma (the liquid part). Erythrocytosis causes you to have high levels of hematocrit and/or hemoglobin. Hematocrit levels: Hematocrit is the number of red blood cells you have. Hemoglobin levels: Hemoglobin is an essential protein found in red blood cells.
