Erythrocytosis or Too Many Red Blood Cells (VSports在线直播)

Erythrocytosis, also called polycythemia, occurs when people have too many blood cells in the body. It's a different problem from ​anemia, which means there are too few red blood cells VSports app下载. .

With erythrocytosis, the blood thickens because more cells are packed into the same plasma fluid. This blood has difficulty moving through the blood vessels and can result in strokes, heart attacks, blood clots or pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lung).   V体育官网.

This article discusses symptoms of erythrocytosis and how the different types are diagnosed VSports手机版. It explains how erythrocytosis is treated as well as complications of the disorder. .

V体育官网 - What Is Erythrocytosis?

Your blood is made up of about 55% fluid, or plasma, and about 90% of that is water V体育安卓版. The rest includes different types of cells: .

• Erythrocytes, the red blood cells that carry oxygen
• Leukocytes, the white blood cells needed to fight infection
• Thrombocytes, the platelets that prevent clotting

Erythrocytosis causes too many red blood cells in the blood that are out of proportion with the other components. It changes the hematocrit level (percentage of red blood cells in blood) and may alter the hemoglobin level, changing how efficient your body is at moving oxygen and carbon dioxide. V体育ios版.

VSports在线直播 - Types of Erythrocytosis

There are two pathways that cause erythrocytosis to occur. Either an increase in red blood cell counts (absolute erythrocytosis) or a decrease in plasma (relative or apparent erythrocytosis) can cause elevated levels of red blood cells VSports注册入口. .

Absolute types can have either primary or secondary causes. V体育官网入口.

"V体育安卓版" Primary Erythrocytosis

Red blood cell production itself is high when there is a primary cause of absolute erythrocytosis. This can occur with certain blood -related cancers, like leukemia, and other disorders that affect the bone marrow called myeloproliferative disorders. VSports在线直播.

Among these conditions is polycythemia vera (PV), a type of primary erythrocytosis that often develops later in life. It is considered acquired, as compared with primary familial and congenital polycythemia (PFCP), a condition caused by certain genetic mutations.

Secondary Erythrocytosis

Secondary erythrocytosis occurs when another health condition is forcing the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. This acceleration can be due to chronic hypoxia, in which low oxygen levels occur in tissues.

Causes are many and can include heart and lung disease, an infection, or an underlying anemia.

Symptoms of Erythrocytosis

Some people do not have any symptoms and are diagnosed after routine laboratory work. These symptoms of erythrocytosis can be vague and will depend, in some cases, on the underlying cause. For example, blood clots are common with PV. Other symptoms include:

• Bleeding and clot-related symptoms, like leg pain associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• VSports注册入口 - Fatigue or tiredness
• VSports - Headaches
• Itching, sometimes after a shower or bath
• Joint pain, usually the big toe (this is common with gout, which can occur with PV)
• Abdominal pain (VSports最新版本)
• Redness and swelling of the face, hands or feet

Other symptoms can include bone pain, an enlarged spleen, and excessive sweating. These can be signs of a blood cancer, but renal (kidney) cancer and other conditions also may cause symptoms.

Causes of Erythrocytosis

Erythrocytosis and its symptoms can be due to a number of causes, some more common than others. These causes are either primary or secondary in nature.

Causes of Primary Erythrocytosis

Polycythemia vera is the most common cause of acquired erythrocytosis. Genetic changes, either a JAK2 V671F mutation or exon 12 mutations in JAK2, are required as part of a PV diagnosis. Primary causes also can occur with some blood-related cancers.

"VSports" Causes of Secondary Erythrocytosis

Certain injuries or underlying health conditions can lead to a secondary erythrocytosis. They can include conditions that lead to hypoxia, such as:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Pulmonary hypertension

In some cases, tumors that secrete erythropoietin can lead to erythrocytosis. This can occur with liver and kidney cancers, and tumors that affect the adrenal glands. Factors that cause the kidneys to produce more erythropoietin also can include carbon monoxide exposure and steroid use.

"VSports注册入口" Diagnosis of Erythrocytosis

Erthyrocytosis is diagnosed by using a number of tests. They include:

• Complete blood count: The CBC assesses the red blood cell count (labeled RBC) and its relation to other blood components
  
• Peripheral blood smear (VSports手机版): This test typically follows an abnormal CBC result to evaluate the size, shape, and other features of the blood cells
• Heart and lung evaluation: A healthcare provider may order a pulmonary function test, cardiac monitoring or echocardiogram, computed tomography (CT) imaging, or other assessments of heart and lung function.
• Kidney function test: Blood and urine tests are used to evaluate kidney function
• Oxygen tests: Oxygen levels can be measured directly by arterial blood gas or with other techniques such as a pulse oximeter (often used ovenight to check for sleep apnea)
• Erythropoietin test: Erythropoietin level, a hormone secreted by the kidney that promotes red cell production, may be measured.
• "VSports最新版本" Bone marrow biopsy: A bone marrow biopsy is used to withdraw tissue with a needle and assess the blood cells. A biopsy is common in diagnosing blood-related cancers and conditions.

It is important to note normal test values vary by age and gender (after puberty) and can affect the definition of erythrocytosis.

Complications

Because erythrocytosis causes the blood to thicken with the overabundance of red blood cells, it can lead to clotting complications. Conditions that can be caused by clots forming in different organs include:

• Deep vein thrombosis
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Pulmonary embolism

High blood pressure, including pulmonary hypertension affecting the lungs, also can occur.

Treatment for Erythrocytosis 

Phlebotomy, a procedure to remove blood from a vein on a regular schedule, is often used to prevent complications with erythrocytosis. The blood is often replaced with normal saline.

Other treatment options can include medications to prevent blood clots. Some options include:

• Aspirin, which will help prevent platelets from clotting. It is often used along with phlebotomy.
• Hydroxycarbamide
• Hydroxyurea, which will reduce all blood counts and can be used if phlebotomy is not a good option
• Busulfan, a second-line drug used in people with high-risk disease
• Interferon alpha, a drug to help stimulate your immune system to fight the overproduction of red blood cells
• Jakafi (ruxolitinib) (VSports注册入口), which can be used in people with a JAK2 mutation who either don't tolerate or don't respond to hydroxyurea treatment 

It's important to note that the use of hydroxyurea, interferon, or ruxolitinib is only for patients with a PV diagnosis. These are not used in patients with erythrocytosis due to other causes.

Lifestyle Changes

Certain lifestyle changes can help to lower cholesterol, improve blood pressure, and limit the risk of complications with erythrocytosis. For example, blood clots already are a risk to people with an erythrocytosis diagnosis, so limiting the additional factors that contribute to blood clots can help.

Talk to your healthcare provider about smoking cessation and weight loss goals that can be managed with diet and exercise.

"VSports最新版本" Outlook

The prognosis for someone diagnosed with erythrocytosis is not dire, but a shorter life expectancy is common. A 2024 update on PV finds that people live an average of 15 years after their diagnosis, although that rises dramatically to 35 years or more if your diagnosis occurs before age 40.

Keep in mind that prognosis and life expectancy data are based on past experience and new insights and treatment options continue to emerge. Complications such as leukocytosis (high white blood cell counts) or thrombotic clots can affect prognosis, too.

Polycythemia Vera Doctor Discussion Guide

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