What is the diagnostic criteria for polycythemia vera?

Diagnosis is made using criteria developed by the Polycythemia Vera Study Group; major criteria include elevated red blood cell mass, normal oxygen saturation, and palpable splenomegaly. Untreated patients may survive for six to 18 months, whereas adequate treatment may extend life expectancy to more than 10 years.

What labs indicate polycythemia?

These tests include a complete blood count (CBC) and other tests, if necessary.

• Complete Blood Count. Often, the first test used to diagnose PV is a CBC. The CBC measures many parts of your blood.
• Other Blood Tests. Blood smear.
• Bone Marrow Tests. Bone marrow tests can show whether your bone marrow is healthy.

How do you evaluate polycythemia?

Polycythemia is defined as an elevation in hemoglobin levels (>16.0 g/dL in women or >16.5 g/dL in men; to convert to g/L, multiply by 10.0) or hematocrit (>48% in women or >49% in men).

What are the clinical features of polycythemia vera?

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.

How do you rule out polycythemia vera?

To diagnose PV, your doctor will perform a test called a complete blood count (CBC) to see if your number of red blood cells is higher than normal. Your doctor may also test your blood to look for amounts of a hormone called erythropoietin. Lower-than-normal levels of this hormone can be a sign of PV.

What is the RBC count in polycythemia vera?

Hemoglobin levels greater than 16.5 g/dL (grams per deciliter) in women and greater than 18.5 g/dL in men suggest polycythemia. In terms of hematocrit, a value greater than 48 in women and 52 in men is indicative of polycythemia.

What is difference between polycythemia and polycythemia vera?

Polycythemia, also called erythrocytosis, refers to an increase in red blood cell mass, noted on laboratory evaluation as increased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Polycythemia vera is a subtype of polycythemia and is associated with the overproduction of all 3 cell lines.

When should you suspect polycythemia vera?

If you have PV, a higher-than-normal percentage of your blood will be made of red blood cells. In adults, a hematocrit greater than 48 percent in women or greater than 49 percent in men can indicate PV, according to the World Health Organization .

What are the symptoms of thick blood?

Thick blood can lead to strokes or tissue and organ damage. Symptoms include lack of energy (fatigue) or weakness, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, visual disturbances, nose bleeds, bleeding gums, heavy menstrual periods, and bruising.