Question 1

to follow up on previous question, i just don't understand how i could have polycythemia vera with my age/sex. what exactly is polycythemia vera?

Accepted Answer

Polycythemia: Ruba vera or too many cells of the red blood in latin is an acquired, not genetic, disease in the myeloproliferative category. That means the body regulation of blood cell production is off, and in your case you make too many rbcs. Rare at 29 but not impossible.  Stay on the plan with your hematologist -- easily and successfully treated.

Question 2

what is polycythemia vera?

Accepted Answer

High red blood cell : This means the red blood cell count is high (seen in blood test) without any cause--not from smoking, dehydration or living in high altitude.

Question 3

is polycythemia vera hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes.: Most patients with polycythemia vera develop the condition in adulthood, most commonly from an acquired mutation in the jak2 gene, and are not born with it.  However, there are families who pass on the tendency to have a high red blood cell count through a variety of genetic mutations.  It is usually well known in the family when that is the case.

Question 4

how's diagnosed polycythemia vera?

Accepted Answer

Your Doctor is guide: P. Vera is a rare condition. It is not difficult to diagnose provided you have consulted a specialist...A hematologist is the right specialist to help you with this issue. It typically manifests with high hemoglobin( &gt;17 grams) and often has high white blood cell count as well as high platelets associated with high hemoglobin levels.

Question 5

how can you treat polycythemia vera?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It can be a primary problem treated with removal of blood (thereby reducing iron) or it may be due to extrinsic factors (high altitude, smoking, carbon monoxide poisoning, etc) in which case avoiding the factor may be the treatment.

Question 6

i've got polycythemia vera. now what?

Accepted Answer

Regular check ups: In p. Vera lifespans can be normal for most patients. The plan involves keeping the blood levels at target levels and keeping the blood thinned. This is achieved by removing blood at regular intervals if the level exceeds safe thresholds, some people require meds such as hydrea (hydroxyurea). Most patietns also are placed on daily aspirin.

Question 7

what are the system of polycythemia vera?

Accepted Answer

Check out this: link for more information on polycythemia vera: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polycythemia-vera/symptoms-causes/dxc-20307465

Question 8

what are the tests for polycythemia vera?

Accepted Answer

Blood, bone marrow: Initial blood tests include cbc, smear review, jak2 testing and other blood tests. Often a bone marrow biopsy may be performed.

Question 9

do a lot of people get polycythemia vera?

Accepted Answer

Not common: According to one study, about 65,000 people in the US have this condition, or about 22 out of every 100,000 people.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18181200.

Question 10

could polycythemia vera go away with time?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, no.: This disease cannot be cured at this time, but must be treated by treating symptoms.  Phlebotomy is the major treatment done.

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A member asked:

To follow up on previous question, i just don't understand how i could have polycythemia vera with my age/sex. what exactly is polycythemia vera?

A member asked:

What is polycythemia vera?

A member asked:

Is polycythemia vera hereditary?

A member asked:

How's diagnosed polycythemia vera?

A member asked:

How can you treat polycythemia vera?

A member asked:

I've got polycythemia vera. now what?

A member asked:

What are the system of polycythemia vera?

A member asked:

What are the tests for polycythemia vera?

A member asked:

Do a lot of people get polycythemia vera?

A member asked:

Could polycythemia vera go away with time?

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