“Do I have polycthemia or polycthemia vera?”
Every month my hemotologist tells me to get a CBC to check my blood count and every month I have to get a phalabotomy to remove one pint because my count is always around 50 or more. I take one aspirin and hydroxyzine because my itching is out of control I can't sleep very well i get headaches and somewhat dizzy at times. Do I have polycthemia or polycthemia vera?
Male | 64 years old
3 Answers
Dr. Eric Scofield
Hematologist-Oncologist
It is likely that you have polycythemia Vera based on your symptoms. This can be checked by having certain molecular mutations checked for from your peripheral blood such as the JAK2 V617F mutation.
They are essentially the same disease. Phlebotomy is an excellent treatment unless your white blood count and/or platelet count become too high also.
You probably do have Polycythemia Vera. They can check a Jak 2mutation on a blood test to confirm it, but even if it is negative the management is the same you are having, if it gets too high, then you could donate some blood or have phlebotomists.
