5 point increase in HgB

Hi everyone,

Any suggestions about these labs?

Between May/19 and June 9 my hgB levels ROSE from 11.4 to 16.4!

Starting levels, pre-tx were around 14.5.

Hematocrit rose from 35 to 50, platelets rose from 132 to 160 and WBC rose from 2.1 to 2.9/

Glucose also rose from 84 to 110.

The Dr. says it might be a lab error and I'm repeating the test tomorrow, but how could ONLY those levels be skewed?  (although, since I've moved, I did use a different lab).

My Dr. reluctantly admitted it could indicate a condition called Polycithemia.

I googled it and found out it's a blood thickening disorder.

Anyone know anything else?

Thanks,

Wyntre

PS - still UND <10 at week 26 of 72.

[nygirl7]

I have absolutely no idea how this could happen in the world.  I had it happen but I was on epo 40,000 x 2 and it was just too much.  You're not on any so it's really really strange and I've never read it before.

Good news is though - UND...I see that lovely word in there :)

Try to focus on that and just have another stick...it could have been a fluke, God knows they happen all the time around here as you have seen.  

[l-horn]

Are/were you taking procrit ?

What week of tx are you in ?

[wyntre9]

I have never taken procrit.  My HgB started at 14.5 and the lowest it has gone is to 11.4

I'm on week 26 of 72, G 1A, Stage 1 grade 1.  I take 1000 riba, 180 peg and 480 neup (twice a month).

I'm a slow responder , didn't reach UND until week 16-18 although my 12 week Vl was quite low at 3,800.

I had the Worst week I've ever had on TX, even worse than the first couple of weeks.  i was literally glued to the sofa Friday through Tuesday.

Dr. says i shouldn't worry about it but it does seem awfully weird that ONLY the RBC counts had such a huge spike althougn WBC and ANC ALSO rose slightly.

Do you think the fact that I went to a different lab could have any impact on the numbers?  Should i worry about it?  What the heck IS Polycithemia anyway and can it be triggered by interferon and peg?

Thanks guys,

Wyntre

[Bill1954]

Jeez, Wyntre

[wyntre9]

Hey Bill,

How ya doing?

Thanks again for the Lindhal study.

My Dr. is so unconcerned he didn't even want to tell me the NAME of the condition.  He read through the labs, I asked is everything ok, he said everything's the same except (and he mumbled this part) your hgB rose significantly.

I asked (stupid me) if that was a good thing (thinking it meant a reversal of anemia-related SX) - and he grudgingly admitted it COULD indicate another condition but he didn't want me to worry about it, it was probably a flawed lab test and I should redo the blood work.  I asked HOW could ONLY those tests be skewed and he reiterated, after finally muttering polycythemia, that I shouldn't worry about it.

So there you go.

But even I know that's a big increase, especially as my starting hgB was 14.5

And I CAN'T understand how this could happen in two weeks when nothing else changed with my meds, except the lab where my blood is drawn.  But the reporting lab is still the same one I've been using since December.


Thanks for chiming in and hope you're doing well,

wyntre

[rosygirl]

Here is a web page on polycythemia.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/poly/poly_diagnosis.html

[dperry10]

Remind me again what you are taking 480 neup (twice a month).
for ?    Isnt that for when your Absolute Neutrophils drop down to 500 or below ?   Maybe that has something to do with it ?  you should check that on your lab as well.   Mine keeps going betweeen 900 - 1500.. So I did not need the other rescue drug,  some take.. Just the procrit, but I have not come up over 10.5 since March, and then it dropped to 8.1.  I started at 15.7 I believe, I would have to look it up.    but started the procrit on week 8.    and its a yo yo too..    But still UND too..  Congrats on yours.    I came home to a 90 + degree house today..   So Mike stopped and got a window unit for the bedroom for the evening.. I would never be able to sleep , and would constantly complain.. LOL      And wouldnt you know the rain made the pool green again.. ...errrrrrr so not skinny dipping either.. LOL  

Well I am going to bed.. too hot out here...  

[BThompson4]

Your hgb level is pretty high for someone who is on procrit.  I think you don't want it to be over 12 or so while you are on procrit, as this may increase chance of heart attack.

Here is an FDA warning about hgb getting too high while on procrit:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/RHE2007.htm

[BThompson4]

Sorry about the last post.  You are not on procrit.  No idea what could make your hgb go so high during treatment!

[wyntre9]

hey, thanks for the post and the repost!  i do that all the time, too!  *LOL*

a friend did just email me and mentioned that since i'm now living in the (low) mountains and before I moved i was at or below sea level maybe that accounts for it?

I know I HAD been feeling better than i had in 6 months when i moved here, May 26, and last weekend, i felt the WORSE i had since starting sx - i'm going tomorrow for bloodwork and if the hgb is back to 12 or below, i guess that answers something.

i'm just not sure what!!!!  

wyntre

[wyntre9]

thanks rosy,

i've been googling all afternoon.  Gonna check that site, now.

wyntre

[cruelworld]

two bad days worse than ever? that sounds rough. dont sweat the other just yet.
sounds like just regular old treatment ups and downs. youll know soon.
hang tight, weve got your back.

[wyntre9]

Thanks cruel,

I'm still investigating this change of altitude thing . . .

Just a thought - wonder if the fact that you play wind instruments and thereby get extra oxygen in your blood has affected the way riba interacts in your body and has prevented you from dropping hgB levels which you're now trying to compensate for by increasing your riba?

whaddayathink?

wyntre

ps - where did you read that increasing riba AFTER getting UND can help forstall future relapse?