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Possible Polycythemia?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Andreea12
Andreea12

Hi!

Can it be Polycythemia Vera? My dad, 56 yrs had these results at the blood tests. The doctor recently took blood for the JAK2 but I want some opinions until we get the result.

10.24.2017

Hemoglobin 17.4 (13-17.2)

Hematocrit 50.5   (39-50)

RBC 5.67    (4.2-5.6)

WBC 9.8    (4-11)

Platelets 336 (150-450)

11.06.2017

Hemoglobin 16.9

Hematocrit 51.5

RBC 5.88

WBC 10.5

Platelets 371

11.9.2017

Hemoglobin 16.8

Hematocrit 49.2

RBC 5.49

WBC 10

Platelets 369

The last blood tests were good but can it be because he had taken blood for many tests? 

Older blood tests:

The blood test from April 2017

Hemoglobin 17,4

Hematocrit 50

RBC 5.65

WBC 10.6

Platelets 305

March 2016

Hemoglobin 17.1

Hematocrit 50.6

RBC 5.79

WBC 9

Platelets 324

He does not smoke. His liver and spleen are normal. Also the heart and the lungs are good. 

Thank you!

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • colin89866
    colin89866 Andreea12

    Posted

    As far as I am aware, the optimum for the Haematocrit is 45, and your father's tests show considerably more at over 50 !

    I was diagnosed some years ago and while at first it was controlled by venesections, I am now on Hydroxycarbamide which keeps it under control without venesections.

  • PO32_6AP
    PO32_6AP Andreea12

    Posted

    Hi heamatocrit is my only problem I started at around 50 and have varied it from 45-48 over the years, but last week it was up to 48.8 I am a female and have been diagnosed for five years, I started with vienessions roughly quarterly, but now I am

    On 2 Hydroxyurea Per day ( My body can cope with two any more and I get mouth ulcers) so trying to keep To that dose and having a vienession 2 or 3 times a year . I have few side effects I do get boiling hot if I excert  myself to much gardening or walking up hills. Other than that I have a full happy life enjoying travelling and all that life brings. I do not drink alcohol, I find this makes me lethargic and listless the next day so avoid it altogether.

    Just listen to your consultant who is at the end of a phone if necessary.

    Not that I’ve needed to, you can lead  a full happy normal

    Life span if you listen to the experts . Xxxxxxx

    • peter98873
      peter98873 PO32_6AP

      Posted

      Hi PO32 6AP, 

      Having just perused your posting I would advise you to keep a close check on your Hydroxy dosage and to not any ignore any changes you may note in your day to day situation (side-effects).   Ulcers are a known problem with Hydroxy which can affect different parts of your body, often the feet.  I speak from my own experiences with this drug and would suggest that you convey any unusual symptoms to your Haematologist.

      My dosage was in excess of your own and gave cause to suspect diabetes but on expert advice this was excluded.  For the mouth ulcers I was prescribed Difflam Oral Rinse by my Haematologist.   This proved to be very effective in dealing with this problem but will need a prescription.

  • bill71415
    bill71415 Andreea12

    Posted

    Could be secondary polycythemia, the JAK2 results will help with that diagnosis. If secondary then it is not a chronic condition, and even it primary (vera) then proper treatment should allow him to live a long life.

    Best regards,

    Bill

  • Andreea12
    Andreea12

    Posted

    Thank you all for the answers. We will wait for the results!

    I read about it , I saw that many people live many years with the disease but my father also has Diabetes and I think it's a little bit worse.  I still hope the JAK2 is negative.

    God bless you all!

  • peter98873
    peter98873 Andreea12

    Posted

    The main readings for PV are Haemaglobin(HB) - WBC - Neutrophils  and Platelets.  In my view none of the statistics you have supplied seem to be any real cause for concern as these will invariably alter a little from day to day or week to week.   Any recognised treatment can also affect these readings.  Polycythaemia can be found in different forms but all are related to an increase in the red cell mass.  Of these I would consider that Secondary PV might be the eventual outcome for your relative but you will not receive a conclusion that matters until your doctor has completed his tests.  Further a diagnosis would need to be confirmed by a Haematologist who will then be able to prescribe any treatment required.  PV is a variable disorder and affects people differently.  Really, it is early days for you to settle onto any firm diagnosis, it will always need time before this can occur.  This disorder (PV) is a very rare condition so requires expert supervision.    I can only suggest that you stay a little patient for now until you receive a firm diagnosis and be guided by your medics decision.  The disorder is not one to be treated lightly.  At present it is incurable so let us hope it is not affecting your father.  Good luck.  There are other illnesses that can mimic the symptoms of PV.
    • Andreea12
      Andreea12 peter98873

      Posted

      Thank you for the answer. 

      Do you have PV? 

      I hope everything is fine for you.

    • peter98873
      peter98873 Andreea12

      Posted

      Hi Andreea,

      Sadly I did suffer from PRV which today has progressed into MF for which I am now treated.   These disorders are classified together as MPN's (Myeloproliferative Disorders which also include ET).

      I receive a specialist drug (Ruxolitinib) to deal with this which needs specialist approval.   So far it has been a far better proposition than the Hydroxycarbamide I took for many years which in my view can suit the initial stages of PRV but needs long-term supervision to avoid side-effect issues.  Yes, my well - being has markedly improved under the new drug but the longer term aspects are not available due to the short time it has been available.  Thank you for your thoughts.  I was first diagnosed some 20 years ago with PV but realise it affected me much earlier than this.

      Peter.

  • bill71415
    bill71415 Andreea12

    Posted

    Hi Andrea, yes I do, diagnosed about 6 years ago, been treated with phlebotomy and baby aspirin until June when I was put on Hydrea. While Hydrea is chemo and worrisome, it has been a real help for me in keeping my blood counts down and avoiding phlebotomies. I feel alot better since going on it, but long term I will be discussing other options with my MPN specialist in December. I'd like to try Jakafi or Pegasys as they are more targeted meds.

    Best wishes, Bill

    • Andreea12
      Andreea12 bill71415

      Posted

      I am happy to hear that you are fine. 

      How elevated was your hematocrit, haemoglobin and platelets when you were diagnosed?

  • Andreea12
    Andreea12

    Posted

    Hi, 

    I come with good news. We got the results and JAK2 is negative.

    Is anything to worry now?

    Thank you for all the comments and opinions. Hope you will be fine! 

    Best wishes!

    • peter98873
      peter98873 Andreea12

      Posted

      Hello Andreea,

      That surely is good news but is not necessarily the total result you might have wanted.  Yes, you have excluded PRV but not Secondary PV which might exist but this is less a serious prospect and can be positively treated.  More recently on this forum a patient ceased smoking which led to the PV no longer an issue.  All very confusing I suspect but my thoughts are your father might just be clear.  The doctor or Haematologist can confirm this.  good luck.

      Peter.

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