HomeAnswersHematologypolycythemiaI suffer from polycythemia. Can it be caused due to smoking?

What is your suggestion for polycythemia?

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Published At April 10, 2017
Reviewed AtJuly 18, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a 37-year-old male. I am suffering from polycythemia for the last two years. My Hb is 19.17 and my HCT is 51.9. The doctors informed me that it is all due to smoking. Is there any serious problem with me? What will you suggest?

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Chronic smoking can lead to heart failure, chronic lung disease, etc., and hence, polycythemia occurs. It is called secondary polycythemia. With the treatment, the prognosis is good in secondary polycythemia.

But, polycythemia can occur as primary polycythemia as well, and in that case, the prognosis will not be good as it is considered under myeloproliferative neoplasm.

Primary polycythemia is called polycythemia vera and for that JAK2 mutation study was done by a molecular method to confirm it.

For polycythemia, the treatment is therapeutic phlebotomy in which 8.33 to 13.33 oz of blood is removed as per needed frequency.

Our aim is to maintain HCT - hematocrit of less than 45% in polycythemia male patients.

Initially, phlebotomy can be somewhat aggressive with more frequency and then maintained with less frequency. Hydroxyurea drug has proven effective in polycythemia.

Consult a nearby physician for examination with keeping all this in mind and stop smoking as soon as possible.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Pathology

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