Recently Answered Questions
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Is anisopoikilocytosis dangerous?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 53 year old woman diagnosed with polycythemia vera (PV) three years ago. I am being treated with phlebotomy. I have fatigue at times, as well as some thinking impairment at times. Over time I have developed various anomalies in my blood test results, which my doctor explained as... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Based on your query regarding polycythemia, my opinion is as follows: Due to nutritional deficiencies, secondary to excessive RBC (red blood cell) production and also mild dyserythropoiesis (defective development of red blood cells), you can find microcytic hypochromic ce... Read Full »
How is polycythemia different from hemochromatosis?
Query: Hello doctor, Is there an association between polycythemia and hemochromatosis? I have a high Hb of 18 and hematocrit of 51 %. I am a student and found to have incidental polycythemia. I tested for all myeloproliferative neoplasm and bone marrow biopsy is negative for MPN. However, I was tested to ... Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Usually, in hemochromatosis, storage iron is increased, that is serum ferritin. So you can investigate with serum ferritin as well. If you have myeloproliferative neoplasm like polycythemia, then usually it can be clear from bone marrow study and JAK2 mutation. It co... Read Full »
Why is my RBC count high after recovering from COVID-19?
Query: Hi doctor, I recovered from COVID-19 almost a month ago. Now my RBC count is 8.7, which is higher than the normal. What can I do now? I currently take Noni. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thanks for the query. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have done CBC (complete blood count) test and shown RBC (red blood cell) count is 8.7, which is above normal. Increased RBC is known as polycythemia. The polycythemia may result from... Read Full »
If I quit smoking, will my RBC, hemoglobin, and PCV levels come back to normal?
Query: Hello doctor, I am suffering from hypertension since few years, and I am currently on medication Telmisartan. I am an alcoholic and smoker, and I smoke approximately 15 cigarettes a day for the last five years. My current CBC report suggests high RBC, hemoglobin, and PCV. Though it reduced slightly ... Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your attached reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The diagnosis is polycythemia. Polycythemia can be secondary or primary. Secondary polycythemia occurs because of hypoxia, which activates the oxygen sensor and more erythrop... Read Full »
My 22-year-old son has elevated RBC, Hgb, and HCT and is a smoker. Does he have polycythemia vera?
Query: Hello doctor, My son is 22 years old. His routine physical examination and complete blood count showed elevated RBC, Hgb, and HCT. Hgb was 18, HCT was 59, and normal platelets. Additionally, he had JAK2-negative, exons normal, normal serum EPO, normal B12, normal electrophoresis, and an ultrasound o... Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. According to the blood result, we have to rule out polycythemia vera. His EPO (erythropoietin) is normal with no hepatosplenomegaly in USG (ultrasonogram) scan. Moreover, JAK2 and exon marker investigations are negative. So polycythemia ver... Read Full »
What can be the reason for elevated RBC, Hb and Hct?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 34 year old female. I have been itching all over for months and constantly covered with bruises, petechiae and livedo reticularis. I was diagnosed with erythromyalgia. I also have severe bone pain. My blood work came back with elevated RBC, Hb, Hct, low alkaline phosphate, low BUN... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows: The elevated hemoglobin, red blood cell count and hematocrit signify polycythemia. Elevated Vitamin B12 level is one of the markers of myeloproliferative disorder. I would strongly think of polycythemia vera. Other values ar... Read Full »
Why are my hemoglobin and hematocrit values high without any symptoms?
Query: Hello doctor, I underwent routine bloodwork during my regular gynecological checkup. It showed a hemoglobin of 16.4 g/dL and hematocrit of 47.3 %. All other laboratory values are normal, and I do not have any symptoms. I am currently on Norethindrone for birth control and Spironolactone 100 mg for ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Elevated hemoglobin is seen in dehydration, smokers, people living at high altitudes, congestive cardiac failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, erythropoietin secreting adenomas of the kidney, and rarely could be a part of primary polycythemia. I suggest you ru... Read Full »
Do increased levels of RBC and vitamin B12 cause polycythemia vera?
Query: Hi doctor, My RBC levels have been slightly elevated for the past six months. It was 5.17 a year back, and a couple of months back it was 5.39. I noticed that from the last two years, the RBC count has been borderline high. Last week my vitamin B12 was tested due to a nerve issue in my face, which ... Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I appreciate your knowledge and awareness towards your health, and I have seen your reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your vitamin B12 level is certainly high, enough that warrants further investigation. Following are the common causes for high... Read Full »
I have a high Hb value; can I donate blood?
Query: Hello doctor, I am 34 years old. I went to donate blood today. But, the hospital rejected me as my Hb value is 16.9. Is this level abnormally high? Do I need to get any tests done? Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, your hemoglobin value is high and needs to be investigated. Let me know if your hematocrit values were checked. If it is high as well, the condition is polycythemia. The cause for polycythemia may be secondary to chronic hypoxia due to a chronic heart failure... Read Full »
What is the reason for the increase in Hb and Hct values in me?
Query: Hi doctor, I am really worried that my Hgb is 17.6 and Hct is 54.6. I have been recommended to consult a hematologist in cancer care center. I am bothered whether it is a major illness. Can you please help me out? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows: Your hemoglobin (Hb or Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) is a bit high and hence further evaluation is being done. If you are from a hill station or a smoker or with lung disorder then this may be normal. This is called as polycythe... Read Full »