Polycythemia: Diagnosis & Treatment of Elevated Hemoglobin Level

[@dianadiaz5357]

So helpful thank you, waiting to see a hematologist a bit nervous so this helped calm my nerves.

[@talkingcancer155]

Great to hear. Treating polycythemia is not too difficult. I'm glad this video helped calm the anxiety. All the best to you.

[@katresst5061]

This video was an amazing find! It answered some questions, validated some of my own conjectures and connected some dots on issues that have been frustrating and elusive to explain. And this is not for want of asking multiple docs about these issues. I’m going to share this with my own PCP as well. Thank you!

[@talkingcancer155]

Good to hear. I'm glad my video was able to answer some of your questions. All the best to you!

[@aquaviz4854]

Informative for a medical technologist like me.

[@talkingcancer155]

Good to hear. Thank you

[@ctdev2003]

A hematologist diagnosed me with PV in 2023 (high hct, low epo, jak2 mutation) - I seem to be doing fine on periodic phlebs, hydroxyurea & asperin, but am concerned about myelofibrosis since I had hct>50 (60+ female) for 6 years without my *former* PCP mentioning it (until she finally suggested donating blood at the Red Cross to bring it down!)

[@talkingcancer155]

I don't think that will really influence it much. Just stay on treatment and follow your doctors advice. Many with P vera live many many years so enjoy your life. Stress will likely influence you more.

[@karenhughes3558]

This was an excellent video. You explain this very well, thank you so much. I am currently waiting for my JAK2 results.

[@talkingcancer155]

Thank you. Glad it helped you. I hope it comes back negative.

[@cricketuncutds1918]

Jak 2 result comes in how many days??

[@dr.carlosrojas-fernandez3951]

Very clear and informative. Thanks!

[@talkingcancer155]

Thank you for the feedback.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

So many of these strange cancers and i hadn't even thought about them until my chronic Eczema later amended to Psoriasis proved it was actually neither by becoming an aggresive tumour producing disorder with a toss up between Mycosis Fungoides and PCTL NOS(Cutaneous)the coin finally landing on stage 2B Mycosis Fungoides leading to an amputation.

[@talkingcancer155]

Sorry to hear. I hope you feel better. All the best.

[@LindaGilroy-h2o]

The first explanation that I have been searching for...I have high hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.... just above the normal level. I had a silent heart attack that was discovered on an EKG for an elected breast reduction surgery. I am a fit 62 year old lady that eats clean and hikes, bikes, snow skies, snow shoes, weights etc. I had been using trace minerals for the last several years and probably over did them....very loose stools. I do hydrate very well, but maybe not enough to keep up with the loose stool situation. I am not currently on the minerals, and I am very conscious of my hydration. I am still very nervous of having another heart attack or stroke. My cardiologist said that interval training was fine...he was NOT looking at my blood levels only a"0" calcium score and a perfect heart and valves outside of the tip of my apex silent heart attack. I recently did an interval bike ride and when done was light headed and a little weak. My blood pressure is up and down??? I am thinking the thickness of my blood and hydration/leval of activity. Should I back off of the interval training because of the thickness in my blood? I am very afraid of a stroke or another heart attack. You are the only one that I have found that speaks on this in depth. Thank you!

[@talkingcancer155]

Thank you for the feedback. Remember to always ask your doctor. I think exercise is almost always a good thing. In general the more active you are the better. Immobility usually increases clot risk. Make sure that your polycythemia is not due to P Vera. P Vera is the bad one that you want to treat. Just ask your doctor to send you to a hematologist to make sure. Also rule out sleep apnea. All the best to you.

[@faithnaidoo7647]

Thanks Dr for the valuable medical info.SOUTH AFRICA

[@talkingcancer155]

You are very welcome from Miami Florida.

[@barbaradorbie920]

Brilliant video thank you. Scotland

[@talkingcancer155]

Thank you. Your country is beautiful!

[@albertalittle9719]

Most Excellent Presentation!! Very valuable and comforting information. I wish there was good information on foods and supplements that may hurt or help, for example, vit c, b12, citrus, oxalate and purine foods just to start. Thank you.

[@talkingcancer155]

Thank you for your input. I'm glad the video provided you with info. Diet is a hard topic since there is sooooo much to talk about.

[@martha3028]

Appreciate it Dear Dr!❤

[@talkingcancer155]

You're welcome

[@jullee2656]

Thank you this was helpful

[@talkingcancer155]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@forkf0rk3]

16 year old waiting to get diagnosis here, quite nervous as this is affecting me very young and this video helped me process it a bit better and slightly calm down by giving me information I needed, thank you 🫶

[@talkingcancer155]

I wish you the best and I hope all your labs return to normal.

[@classyconversationswithrho344]

Thank you very much

[@talkingcancer155]

You are welcome. Hope it helps.

[@Scout-y4t]

Thanks for this, I'm just about to have the JAK2 test after two months of symptoms (mainly cognitive, off-balance) at first B12 deficiency was suspected (after bowel resection) and my elevated Hematocrit Levels 51.8 has been overlooked IMO. I believe I've had symptoms for at least five years but the cognitive changes/balance forced me to see a Doctor. This issue was forced after I was refused extended B12 injections, had I not protested it seems unlikely they would have investigated further via haematology. Looking at full results I can see how I might be diagnosed with PV.

[@talkingcancer155]

Your welcome. Hope all tests come back normal and that you feel better.

[@aishaaisha7932]

@@Scout-y4t how r u now??

[@rodrique1971]

Seconded on the excellent presentation. Currently in hospital awaiting results. Should I consult with a haematologist on an ongoing basis if results are positive? I am on chronic testosterone but purely for medical reasons.

[@talkingcancer155]

Thank you. If you are not sure of your diagnosis then I would recommend a hematologist evaluation. If you are diagnosed with polycythemia vera then you should definitely see a hematologist. If it is confirmed secondary then in your case it could be from testosterone replacement. I think a hematologist eval is never a bad idea. All the best.

[@nige.3494]

I've been tested today waiting for the results.

[@talkingcancer155]

Hope all is normal. All the best.

[@nige.3494]

​@talkingcancer155 just been confirmed polythemia vera got a sleep apnea tests this week followed by lung test I've had chest xray done which is clear and in 3 weeks having the first phlebotomy done.

[@aishaaisha7932]

How r u now everything ok?

[@nige.3494]

@aishaaisha7932 got results back it's a positive test just started the long road of other tests lung heart sleep etc.

[@bouncerslabrealnature9143]

Unfortunately I have joined the club but I never took anything to boost anything. ... I'm just another odd statistic. Possibly genetic but nobody left to ask. The paperwork doesn't show how they passed except my mother.

[@talkingcancer155]

It happens. Sometimes there is no family history and we never really know how it developed but that's life. All the best to you.

[@aishaaisha7932]

Sir my rbc is 5.91,hb 14 ,mcv 76,mch 25 is this cancer related sir

[@talkingcancer155]

You cannot say those labs are cancer related. To diagnose cancer you need a biopsy of a mass or to find evidence of leukemia for example. If you think you have cancer please see a medical doctor asap and voice your concerns. All the best to you.

[@texasonly7384]

❤

[@talkingcancer155]

Ty

[@johnstonewaka29]

how can i reduce this condition natural

[@talkingcancer155]

If it's due to P vera then you will likely need phlebotomy and medications. If it's secondary then it all depends on the cause. A proven natural treatment does not exist. Some may claim something works but nothing clinically proven.

[@aishaaisha7932]

Hi sir my rbc is 5.91 and am feeling so much joints pain is their anything serious??? 😢 Am very depressed sir plz tell 😢

[@talkingcancer155]

Sorry to hear. Many things can cause an elevated rbc and they are not all bad so make sure you follow closely with your doctor and keep a positive attitude. Stressing out will not help you. Joint pain is also a common symptom and could be due to anything. Don't stress out and focus that energy to seeking out a good doctor that will take good care of you.

[@aishaaisha7932]

@@talkingcancer155 common symptom means it's pv?

[@talkingcancer155]

No. Not necessarily.

[@irfanalichang1305]

HB 17.0 Hct 53.0 RBC 6.5 WBC 12.4 PLT 371 Jak2V617f mution negative Epo 11.0 Polycythemia Vera Ho Sakta ha ka Please gaid me sir

[@talkingcancer155]

Does not seem to be Vera. You can also test for jak 2 exon 12. Make sure they exclude secondary causes.

[@irfanalichang1305]

@@talkingcancer155 MPN negative HB 17.0 Hct 53.0 RBC 6.5 WBC 12.4 PLT 371 Jak2V617f mution negative Epo 11.0 Polycythemia Vera Ho Sakta ha ka Please gaid me sir

[@aishaaisha7932]

​@@irfanalichang1305 Now ur ok brother?.is their any serious situation

[@talkingcancer155]

@@irfanalichang1305 that does not look like p vera. It seems reactive. Talk to your doctor about it.