What is polythycemia.

[ameek]

I've just had blood work done and it came back abnormal, the doctor is having me checked for polythycemia, what is this?

[ChronicFatigue]

Dr. Roque,

I was at my Endocrinologist on Monday, he said I have Polycythemia.
He's also re-testing my Calcitonin levels as well. (initial were "elevated").
I just had another Ultrasound of my Thyroid performed today.(post 10-2007 nodule follow up/tracking).

How "concerned" should I be with the Polycythemia?
What should I do?

For whatever reason (maybe because he's running additional blood tests), he has not given me any medication or instructions on what to do.

What is ALSO VERY STRANGE---is I ALREADY take an aspirin per day. This is because of OSA, I sometimes wake up with a Headache and found taking an aspirin at night helps with that! (Also take night time Advil as need to help sleep)--so not sure how I could have Polycythemia---when I'm taking about every blood thinner imaginable!

Thanks!

[Aisha786123]

Could not have said it better myself Ferando.
I was diagnosed with Polythycemia Vera last year, i now have regular venus sections (where the nurses take around a pint of blood), This helps my symptoms allot and prevents stroke and DVT.
The nurses and doctors are fantastic. Please try not to worry if you are diagnosed, they are able to control it very well these days and apart from a few symptoms when your blood is high, you can lead more or less the same kind of life you led before.
Take care Aisha

[Niki0315]

How are you doing with this now??? I am worried I have this too.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello Niki0315, start your own thread and we'll try to help!

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Polycythemia is a condition wherein there is an excess of red cells in the blood.  Having a proliferation of red cells can cause the blood to thicken considerably, and can sometimes lead to certain complications like stroke.  Polycythemia can be primary or secondary.  Secondary polycythemia means that the excess in red cells is due to an outside stimulus, such as lack of oxygen from living for a long time in high altitudes. So this type of polycythemia can be a normal reaction of the body to the environment.  Primary polycythemia, however, is a condition wherein the overproduction of red cells is not the result of any environmental stimulus, but of abnormalities in the body itself.