What changes would a polycythemia patient's blood report show?
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I would like to know if my complete blood test indicates that I have polycythemia vera. I had a blood test two months back, and my hemoglobin was 17.9 grams per deciliter, RBC 60600 per microliter of blood, HCT 49.6 percent, and platelet count was 171,000 microliter of blood.
Then a month later, I took my blood test in the morning, and my hemoglobin was at 17.2 grams per deciliter, HCT 51.4 percent, RBC was 60700 per microliter of blood and also got my EPO results, and it was 9 mU/mL. The doctor says nothing seems wrong, and I will get another CBC in a week. Is my EPO on the lower end, or is it normal, as the doctor said? Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to the icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
The EPO (erythropoietin) is within the normal range, so do not worry about that. As your EPO is within the limit chance of polycythemia Vera is very low. Kindly let me know if you have a smoking history, cardiac disease history, or respiratory disease. I would suggest getting serum Ferritin, which reflects the iron storage.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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