Polycythemia vera – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Polycythemia vera (pol-e-sy-THEE-me-uh VEER-uh) is a type of blood cancer. It causes your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. These excess cells thicken your blood, slowing its flow, which may cause serious problems, such as blood clots.

Polycythemia vera is rare. It usually develops slowly, and you might have it for years without knowing. Often the condition is found during a blood test done for another reason.

Without treatment, polycythemia vera can be life-threatening. But proper medical care can help ease signs, symptoms and complications of this disease.

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Symptoms

Many people with polycythemia vera don’t have noticeable signs or symptoms. Some people might develop vague symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue and blurred vision.

More-specific symptoms of polycythemia vera include:

• Itchiness, especially after a warm bath or shower
• Numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in your hands, feet, arms or legs
• A feeling of fullness soon after eating and bloating or pain in your left upper abdomen due to an enlarged spleen
• Unusual bleeding, such as a nosebleed or bleeding gums
• Painful swelling of one joint, often the big toe
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing when lying down

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of polycythemia vera.

Causes

Polycythemia vera occurs when a mutation in a gene causes a problem with blood cell production. Normally, your body regulates the number of each of the three types of blood cells you have — red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. But in polycythemia vera, your bone marrow makes too many of some of these blood cells.

The cause of the gene mutation in polycythemia vera is unknown, but it’s generally not inherited from your parents.

Risk factors

Polycythemia vera can occur at any age, but it’s more common in adults between 50 and 75. Men are more likely to get polycythemia vera, but women tend to get the disease at younger ages.

Complications

Possible complications of polycythemia vera include:

• Blood clots. Increased blood thickness and decreased blood flow, as well as abnormalities in your platelets, raise your risk of blood clots. Blood clots can cause a stroke, a heart attack, or a blockage in an artery in your lungs or a vein deep within a leg muscle or in the abdomen.
• Enlarged spleen. Your spleen helps your body fight infection and filter unwanted material, such as old or damaged blood cells. The increased number of blood cells caused by polycythemia vera makes your spleen work harder than normal, which causes it to enlarge.
• Problems due to high levels of red blood cells. Too many red blood cells can lead to a number of other complications, including open sores on the inside lining of your stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus (peptic ulcers) and inflammation in your joints (gout).
• Other blood disorders. In rare cases, polycythemia vera can lead to other blood diseases, including a progressive disorder in which bone marrow is replaced with scar tissue, a condition in which stem cells don’t mature or function properly, or cancer of the blood and bone marrow (acute leukemia).

Polycythemia vera – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Polycythemia vera (pol-e-sy-THEE-me-uh VEER-uh) is a type of blood cancer. It causes your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells. These excess cells thicken your blood, slowing its flow, which may cause serious problems, such as blood clots.

Polycythemia vera is rare. It usually develops slowly, and you might have it for years without knowing. Often the condition is found during a blood test done for another reason.

Without treatment, polycythemia vera can be life-threatening. But proper medical care can help ease signs, symptoms and complications of this disease.

Products & Services

Symptoms

Many people with polycythemia vera don’t have noticeable signs or symptoms. Some people might develop vague symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue and blurred vision.

More-specific symptoms of polycythemia vera include:

• Itchiness, especially after a warm bath or shower
• Numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in your hands, feet, arms or legs
• A feeling of fullness soon after eating and bloating or pain in your left upper abdomen due to an enlarged spleen
• Unusual bleeding, such as a nosebleed or bleeding gums
• Painful swelling of one joint, often the big toe
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing when lying down

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of polycythemia vera.

Causes

Polycythemia vera occurs when a mutation in a gene causes a problem with blood cell production. Normally, your body regulates the number of each of the three types of blood cells you have — red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. But in polycythemia vera, your bone marrow makes too many of some of these blood cells.

The cause of the gene mutation in polycythemia vera is unknown, but it’s generally not inherited from your parents.

Risk factors

Polycythemia vera can occur at any age, but it’s more common in adults between 50 and 75. Men are more likely to get polycythemia vera, but women tend to get the disease at younger ages.

Complications

Possible complications of polycythemia vera include:

• Blood clots. Increased blood thickness and decreased blood flow, as well as abnormalities in your platelets, raise your risk of blood clots. Blood clots can cause a stroke, a heart attack, or a blockage in an artery in your lungs or a vein deep within a leg muscle or in the abdomen.
• Enlarged spleen. Your spleen helps your body fight infection and filter unwanted material, such as old or damaged blood cells. The increased number of blood cells caused by polycythemia vera makes your spleen work harder than normal, which causes it to enlarge.
• Problems due to high levels of red blood cells. Too many red blood cells can lead to a number of other complications, including open sores on the inside lining of your stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus (peptic ulcers) and inflammation in your joints (gout).
• Other blood disorders. In rare cases, polycythemia vera can lead to other blood diseases, including a progressive disorder in which bone marrow is replaced with scar tissue, a condition in which stem cells don’t mature or function properly, or cancer of the blood and bone marrow (acute leukemia).

The level of erythrocytes in the blood is increased – what problems can this indicate

• Health

The diagnostician explained what disorders and diseases this may be associated with, and why, in order to bring the tests back to normal, you need to walk more in the fresh air and drink enough water.

July 5, 2022

Source:

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The results of the analyzes are deciphered by the doctor, he can draw the right conclusions about possible problems in your body based on all the indicators. But you always want to understand in advance how serious the situation is. Take, for example, erythrocytes. What do their high scores mean? And what do they influence?

– Red blood cells are oxygen-carrying cells, – explained Olga Malinovskaya, doctor of clinical laboratory diagnostics, head of the medical department of the KDL laboratory network. “In perfect condition, they are of medium size, sufficiently iron-rich, with the correct shape of a biconcave disc.

Usually, all erythrocyte parameters of interest to the doctor are indicated in the complete blood count. The most indicative is the number of red blood cells in 1 liter of blood. For example, in anemia, the amount is reduced along with the amount of hemoglobin. Another parameter is the average erythrocyte volume – MCV.

– It decreases with iron deficiency anemia, increases with anemia associated with a lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid, doctor Malinovskaya explains the changes in the parameters.

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Red blood cells deliver oxygen, which we inhale to all organs and tissues of the body, and take away carbon dioxide, which we then exhale. Red blood cells live in the body for about four months, then they are destroyed.

— The hematopoietic system maintains a constant number of red blood cells in the bloodstream, — said Olga Malinovskaya. — More often patients encounter with a decrease in the number of red blood cells – anemia, but there are diseases and conditions when the number of red blood cells increases.

Dehydration

This is the most common cause of slightly elevated red blood cells.

– If it’s hot outside, you came to donate blood on an empty stomach and haven’t drank water since the evening, then with a high probability you will get slightly elevated hemoglobin, erythrocyte and hematocrit values, the doctor explained.

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Difficult external conditions

Doctors observe an increase in erythrocytes in the blood of residents of high-mountainous regions and regions of the far north. And this is a normal story, people can have red blood cells and hemoglobin slightly above normal due to the adaptation of body systems to harsh external conditions.

Polycythemia

The condition is due to the fact that the cells of the bone marrow produce an excessive amount of red blood cells. Also, other cells will be increased in the analysis – platelets and leukocytes. Blood becomes thicker , viscous, there is a risk of blood clots that can clog blood vessels and disrupt blood supply.

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Increasing the amount of erythropoietin

This substance is synthesized in the kidneys and stimulates the production of red blood cells by bone marrow cells.

– The body increases the production of erythropoietin when it considers that the body lives in conditions of lack of oxygen in order to provide all organs and tissues with more oxygen, – explained diagnostician Olga Malinovskaya.

Frequently elevated red blood cells can be in heavy smokers , people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , with heart defects and those who live in unfavorable environmental conditions.

Kidney disease

Elevated red blood cells are common in people with kidney disease.

– The fact is that they have a violation of the blood supply – narrowing of the renal arteries, tumors or cysts that compress the vascular pedicle of the kidney, – Malinovskaya clarified.

Text author: Alena Bezmenova

causes of increased and decreased values ​​

Content

• 1 Erythrocytes in the blood: norm, causes of increase and decrease
  • 1.1 Concept and meaning
    • 1.1.1 What is the norm of erythrocytes in the blood
    • 1.1.2 Why RBC counts are important
  • 1.2 Related videos:
  • 1.3 RBC counts for adults and children
    • 1.3.1 RBC counts for adults
    • 1. 3.2 Red blood cell counts in children
  • 1.4 Causes of low red blood cell counts
  • 1.5 Anemia
  • 1.6 Genetic disorders that affect the red blood cell count

  90 079 1.7 Chronic diseases and their impact on the level of erythrocytes in

  • 1.8 Elevated red blood cells: causes
  • 1.9 Polycythemia: causes, symptoms and treatment
  • 1.10 Other blood disorders
    • 1.10.1 Anemia
    • 1.10.2 Leukemia
    • 1.10.3 Thrombocytopenia
  • 9 1.11.2 Wrong power supply
  • 1.11.3 Output
• 1.12 Prevention and treatment of abnormal red blood cells
  • 1.12.1 Low red blood cells:
  • 1.12.2 High red blood cells:
• 1.13 Q&A:
  • • 1.13.0.1 What causes an increase in the level of erythrocytes in the blood?
    • 1.13.0.2 What symptoms may indicate a low level of red blood cells?
    • 1.13.0.3 What is the normal level of red blood cells in women?
    • 1. 13.0.4 How does the level of erythrocytes in the blood change during pregnancy?
    • 1.13.0.5 What measures can be taken to correct the level of erythrocytes in the blood?
    • 1.13.0.6 What are the indications for testing the level of erythrocytes in the blood?

Find out which red blood cell values ​​are normal and what causes high and low levels. All about the physiology and diseases associated with the number of red cells in the blood.

Red blood cells are red blood cells that are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. The normal level of red blood cells in the blood is one of the key indicators of human health. This parameter depends on many factors, such as nutrition, physical activity, environmental conditions.

If the level of red blood cells is higher than normal, it is possible that there is a violation in the formation of red blood cells in the body or some kind of disease is present. In this article, we will look at the causes of high and low RBC values ​​and explain in detail how this characteristic affects health.

It is important to understand that all changes in the level of red blood cells require the attention of doctors and a preventive approach. Some diseases can become extremely serious if they are not addressed in a timely manner.

Concept and meaning

What is the red blood cell count

The red blood cell count is the acceptable range of red blood cells in the blood in a certain period of time. It is usually measured in terms of the number of red blood cells per microliter of blood. The normal level may vary in men, women and children depending on age, gender and health status.

Sedentary (less than 5000 steps)

50%

Sedentary (5000 to 10000 steps)

50%

Active (more than 10,000 steps)

0%

Why RBC count is important

RBC count is important to keep your body functioning properly. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues and also help remove carbon dioxide from the lungs. If the level of red blood cells is lower or higher than normal, this may indicate the presence of diseases or health problems. Therefore, regular monitoring of the level of red blood cells is an important element in the prevention of diseases and maintaining the health of the body as a whole.

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Red blood cell norms in the blood of adults and children

Red blood cell norms in the blood of adults from 3.8 to 5.0 million / μl in women.

In healthy adults, the level of red blood cells in the blood does not change throughout life, except for temporal variability associated with the physiological processes of the body.

Norms of erythrocytes in the blood of children

• In newborns, the level of erythrocytes reaches its maximum value and ranges from 4. 2 to 7.4 million/µl.
• In infants, the normal RBC count is 3.9 to 5.5 million/mcL.
• At the age of 1 to 14 years, the normal level of erythrocytes in the blood of children decreases significantly and ranges from 3.5 to 4.8 million/µl.
• Adolescents under 18 years of age have a higher red blood cell count than adults, approximately 4.0 to 5.5 million/mcL.

It is important to note that RBC levels may vary slightly in children based on race and gender.

Causes of low red blood cells

Anemia is the most common cause of low red blood cells. Anemia can be caused by a lack of iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid, as well as other factors such as blood loss, bone marrow disease, and hereditary factors.

Chronic diseases such as chronic infections, cancer and kidney disease can lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells.

Acute blood loss caused, for example, by trauma, surgery or childbirth, can lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells.

The body perceives its own red blood cells as foreign. This can occur in autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks its own cells, including red blood cells.

heredity can also be a cause of low red blood cell count, as genetic mutations can lead to disruption of their formation or viability.

Anemia

Anemia is a body condition in which the number of red blood cells in the blood and/or their content in hemoglobin is below normal. Anemia can develop for various reasons and have various symptoms.

One of the most common causes of anemia is iron deficiency in the body. This element is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, and if it is not enough, then the number of red blood cells in the blood decreases.

Symptoms of anemia may include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, poor concentration, and others. Treatment for anemia depends on the cause and may include iron, vitamins, and other medications.

1. 1. Some types of anemia:
      • Iron deficiency anemia – due to iron deficiency;
      • Folate deficiency anemia – due to lack of folic acid;
      • Vitamin deficiency anemia – occurs when there is a lack of vitamins necessary for the production of red blood cells.

Proper nutrition and regular examinations will help prevent anemia.

Genetic disorders that affect the rate of red blood cells in the blood

The rate of red blood cells depends on many factors, including hereditary predisposition to genetic diseases. Some of these disorders can lead to an increase in the level of red blood cells (erythrocytosis), while others can cause them to decrease (erythropenia).

Among the genetic disorders that affect the rate of erythrocytes in the blood, we can distinguish:

1. 1. • Wilson-Microbe syndrome, in which erythrocytosis and an increase in the size of red cells caused by defects in the genes that regulate the work of erythrocytes;
      • Porphyria, a hereditary disorder that interferes with the synthesis of hemoglobin and leads to an increase in red blood cells;
      • Spherocytosis, a hemolytic disease associated with a defect in the red blood cell membrane, leading to the destruction of red cells and a decrease in their number in the blood.

However, genetic disorders are not the only reason for changes in the rate of erythrocytes in the blood, and additional studies are required for an accurate diagnosis.

Chronic diseases and their effect on the level of erythrocytes in the blood

The normal level of erythrocytes in the blood depends entirely on many factors, including human health. Chronic diseases can significantly reduce or increase the level of red blood cells.

Diseases such as chronic kidney failure, chronic fatigue syndrome anemia and many others can cause low red blood cells. In addition, chronic diseases can reduce the production of red blood cells and contribute to the development of anemia.

Some chronic diseases, such as heart failure, can reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood. As a result, the level of red blood cells in patients with similar diseases can increase significantly.

In general, any chronic disease can lead to changes in the level of red blood cells. Therefore, it is very important to monitor your health and lead a healthy lifestyle, which will help reduce the risk of developing not only anemia, but also other chronic diseases.

Elevated erythrocytes in the blood: causes

Elevated erythrocytes in the blood is called erythrocytosis, it can occur due to several reasons:

1. 1. • Hypoxia. When the supply of oxygen to the body is disturbed in the bone marrow, an increase in the production of red blood cells occurs in an attempt to compensate for the distortion of gas exchange;
      • Long stay at high altitude. Under such conditions, the level of oxygen is significantly lower than at sea level, and red blood cells begin to increase in the blood;
      • Kidney diseases. When kidney function is reduced, they cannot remove excess red blood cells from the blood and their number increases;
      • Leukemia, pneumonia, acute infections, and other conditions that increase blood production in the bone marrow.

It should be noted that erythrocytosis itself is not a disease, but only a symptom. It is not always accompanied by characteristic symptoms and is not dangerous at moderate loads.

Causes of elevated red blood cells Cause Description

Polycythemia: causes, symptoms and treatment

Polycythemia is a disease in which the number of red blood cells is increased. As a result, blood viscosity increases, which can lead to serious complications.

An increase in the number of red blood cells can be caused by various reasons. One of the most common is hypoxia – insufficient amount of oxygen in the body. Polycythemia can also occur with genetic disorders, the abuse of certain drugs, and as a result of prolonged exposure to high altitudes.

The main symptoms of polycythemia are headache, fatigue, excessive sweating, visual and hearing impairments. In more severe cases, signs of angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmias may appear.

For the diagnosis of polycythemia, it is necessary to bring a blood test, which will determine the concentration of red blood cells and other indicators. Treatment includes reducing blood viscosity with medication and regular blood transfusions (phlebotomy). It is also necessary to avoid factors that lead to an increase in the level of red blood cells.

Other blood disorders

Anemia

Anemia is a blood disorder characterized by insufficient hemoglobin content in red blood cells. This can lead to a low level of red blood cells in the blood.

Causes of anemia include deficiency of iron, vitamin B12, or folate, red cell hemolysis, and other abnormalities in the production of red cells in the bone marrow.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a blood cancer that can cause an increase or decrease in red blood cells.

Leukemia is caused by abnormal white blood cells that interfere with the production of normal red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is a blood disorder in which the level of platelets responsible for blood clotting is low. This can lead to problems with blood clots and heavy bleeding.

Decreased platelet levels can result from various diseases such as leukemia, Itsenko-Cushing’s syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, alcohol-related liver cirrhosis, and others.

The effect of obesity and malnutrition on the rate of red blood cells in the blood

Obesity

Obesity, which is characterized by an excess of adipose tissue in the body, can cause an increase in the number of red blood cells. This is due to metabolic disorders and lack of oxygen in the tissues.

In addition, obesity can cause an increase in hemoglobin when the concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells is higher than normal. This is possible due to an increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood and an increase in blood volume.

Improper nutrition

Improper nutrition, especially when accompanied by an excess of fats and carbohydrates, can lead to metabolic disorders and a decrease in the oxygen transport function of the blood.

Eating a large amount of fatty foods can lead to a decrease in the level of iron in the body and the development of iron deficiency anemia, in which the number of red blood cells in the blood decreases. Also, a frequent diet that includes a small amount of iron can lead to a similar effect on the red blood cell count.

Conclusion

Obesity and malnutrition, like other factors, can affect the rate of red blood cells. To increase the number of red blood cells in the blood, which corresponds to the norm, you need to monitor your diet, consume the necessary amount of iron and exercise to improve metabolism and maintain the oxygen transport function of the blood.

Prevention and treatment of abnormal red blood cells

Low red blood cells:

Proper nutrition is one of the key preventive measures. It is necessary to eat food containing iron (meat, fish, berries, vegetables), vitamins (especially groups B, C, E), trace elements (zinc, magnesium, cobalt). It is also recommended to exclude fatty and fried foods from the diet, drink alcohol and smoke.

In the treatment of reduced values ​​of erythrocytes, preparations containing iron are prescribed (Ferro-foilgamma, Fenulet, Maltofer). It is also recommended to conduct a course of vitamin therapy, increase physical activity and it is necessary to adjust the diet.

Elevated erythrocyte values:

Prevention of elevated values ​​comes down to a proper lifestyle: daily routine, sufficient physical activity, proper nutrition. It is necessary to exclude fatty, fried, sweet and smoked foods, alcohol from the diet.

The treatment of elevated erythrocyte values ​​during the diagnosis and identification of the causes of deviations is prescribed by a doctor. Usually, blood circulation is carried out, treatment of other diseases (for example, hypertension, diabetes), drugs that thin the blood (aspirin, phlebodia) are prescribed.

Q&A:

What causes an increase in the level of erythrocytes in the blood?

Elevated red blood cells may be due to various causes such as dehydration, hypoxia, lung disease, heart failure, certain medications or smoking.

What symptoms may indicate a low level of red blood cells?

A low red blood cell count may present with the following symptoms: pale skin, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness.

What is the normal level of red blood cells in women?

The normal level of red blood cells in women is 3.5 to 5 million/mcL.

How does the level of red blood cells in the blood during pregnancy?

The level of red blood cells in the blood of women during pregnancy is usually low, and there may be changes in other blood parameters associated with pregnancy, such as hemoglobin levels and color index.