Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi I’m a 29 year old male I’ve seen a hematologist for high hg and hc levels. He ran a bunch of tests and told me I have secondary due to smoking and my brain fog was due to anxiety. I hg levels are around 18-19 and my hc is around 48-55 I am jak2 negative and my epo levels are between 5.1 and 7.8. He was very confident it wasn’t pv. Does this sound like the right diagnosis or should I get a Second opinion.
0 likes, 10 replies
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Chippenham josh618
Posted
You should always get a second opinion, but based on the information you presented it sounds like his diagnosis is reasonable. My doctor told me smoking and Sleep Apnea are two common causes of Secondary Polycythemia. Do you know if you have Sleep Apnea? If so, could that be partly to blame for the brain fog?
Good Luck, Hal
josh618 Chippenham
Posted
Chippenham josh618
Posted
Josh - I'm not sure, good question for your doc. I am a big advocate though of getting a second opinion from an MPN Specialist, it made all the difference in the world for me. Not all Hemotologists are as smart on Polycythemia as you might hope, since it is a rare disease. Good Luck
angela_o..o josh618
Posted
Absolutely no idea about the finer points of blood tests but giving up smoking would be the best thing you ever did, the kindest thing, the best present you could ever give yourself.
josh618 angela_o..o
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Zapamania josh618
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josh618 Zapamania
Posted
peter98873 josh618
Posted
Hello josh,
Seems to me that the haematologist got it right. You do not have JAK2 mutation and that is a heap of good news. Smoking is a known cause of secondary PV so stopping this will be a distinct advantage. There are a number of causes for secondary PV which have already been suggested by others here and if you look after yourself there is no reason why you should not become free of this problem. If it means you have to change your lifestyle then go for it. I don't think you need over-concern yourself with your readings, they are what one might expect in your situation. Do nothing, and they can get much worse. A second opinion is worthwhile if you think it can change anything for the better.
keith28441 josh618
Posted
Smoking is one of the main causes of secondary Polycythaemia. The normal range for EPO levels can vary from 3.7 to 36 international units per liter (IU/L). The fact that your EPO levels are normal would also indicate secondary Polycythaemia, they are usually only low in primary Polyythaemia, mine being 2.1 at diagnosis.
Hope this helps
Keith
josh618 keith28441
Posted