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Polycythemia - high HCT, HBG and RBC
RBC is 5.25. HGB is 15.4 and HCT is 47.0. Erythropoietin level is 4. WBC is 9.7. I am concerned about primary or secondary "polycythemia". All my CT scans, ultrasounds and MRI tests have come back negative. Does anyone out there have polycythemia? Is there anything I should be doing? At what level do they start removing blood to reduce the risk of clots/stroke, etc.? Is 17 high enough for that? Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your response. I will check my bloodwork for ferritin levels. Hopefully I have a ways to go before phlebotomy is needed or maybe they will figure out what is going on before then. Thanks again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
Phlebotomy is started when the serum ferritin levels are 200 ug/L or more in women. So, ferritin level is a better guide for initiating treatment then hemoglobin levels. Hematocrit can also be used as a guide. Phlebotomy is generally started for HCT of 60 or more. The goal of phlebotomy (to remove blood) is to achieve a hematocrit of around 42% in females. However, please discuss with your doctor. Take care!
The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
Phlebotomy is started when the serum ferritin levels are 200 ug/L or more in women. So, ferritin level is a better guide for initiating treatment then hemoglobin levels. Hematocrit can also be used as a guide. Phlebotomy is generally started for HCT of 60 or more. The goal of phlebotomy (to remove blood) is to achieve a hematocrit of around 42% in females. However, please discuss with your doctor. Take care!
The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
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