6 posts shown.
Maria Fisher46 said:There is definitely some suspicion here, though the probability of actual disease is low, just as you mentioned.
Neither a leukocyte count of 5,000 per microliter (or 5x10*9/L) nor a platelet count of 205x10*9/L (or 205,000 per microliter) rules out the condition entirely.
To give some context, a study involving roughly 1,500 patients with confirmed diagnoses found the following: leukocyte counts ranged from 3,000 (3x10*9/L) all the way up to 172,000/microliter, while platelet counts spanned from 70 to 2,370,000/microliter. While it’s true that the majority of patients sat around 10,000 leukocytes and 466,000 platelets, there were plenty of outliers on both ends of the spectrum.
Furthermore, you can't rule out secondary causes based on a blood count alone; you'll need more extensive testing to get the full picture.
Thank you so much. So, this isn't just relative—or false—polycythemia; something is definitely off. My doctor simply concluded that I have "plenty of blood" and sent me home.
Maria Fisher46 said:Dear sir,
I remember seeing your inquiry a few pages back. At that time, your family doctor suspected potential anemia due to those slightly lower MCV values and started running tests in that direction.
Normally, I wouldn't dwell on hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, but since you mentioned aquagenic pruritus and headaches—which, granted, could stem from other issues—these results need to be viewed through a different lens.
If you aren't hypoxic (which can be verified by checking oxygen saturation or blood gas levels), a hemoglobin level above 165 g/L in a man (or even above 170 g/L according to some sources), combined with a hematocrit equal to or greater than 0.49 and the presence of symptoms like aquagenic pruritus, is enough to raise suspicion of Polycythemia Vera.
I suggest seeing a hematologist to rule this out.
Thanks for the quick reply. I have a few more questions if you don't mind clarifying things for me. About five years ago, I saw a neurologist because of these headaches, and the conclusion was that they were caused by a curvature in my cervical spine. Back then, all my blood work was normal, yet the headaches were still there. Is it possible that this is what they call relative polycythemia, or "stress" polycythemia? My leukocyte count is 5 and platelets are 205... shouldn't those also be elevated in cases of Polycythemia Vera?
Could these results be explained by a lack of blood plasma? If that were the case, would I still experience itching and headaches? From what I've read, this seems like a rare condition that mostly affects older people. I'm quite confused by the differences between primary, secondary, and relative polycythemia.
If you could explain that a bit more, I will definitely consult with my doctor.
Hello,
I have a question for Felix the Cat.
During my last blood draw four months ago, my erythrocyte count was high at 5.85 (the limit is 5.72). Everything else was within the normal range, except for my MCV, which was slightly low at 81.7 (lower limit is 83). My doctor muttered something about how it would be wise to repeat the CBC in three weeks to monitor the hematocrit or hemoglobin levels (on that specific test, hematocrit was 0.478 and hemoglobin was 172). After those three weeks, the results came back:
erythrocytes 5.93—so it rose further—hematocrit 0.488, hemoglobin 173, and that MCV moved up to 82.3, though still just below the limit. I also have a reticulocyte count reading:
42, where the limits are 22-97.
After seeing this, she simply told me I'm just "polycythemic" (full-blooded) and sent me home. I didn't pay much attention to it at first, but being curious, I did some digging online and realized this could potentially be a form of erythrocytosis or polycythemia vera. This is especially concerning since I deal with frequent headaches, though I've had those since I was 15 and they've always been attributed to a misaligned cervical spine. Ultimately, what prompted me to write this post is an itching sensation after showering that has persisted for a few months. Lately, the itching has even started occurring regardless of showering; it isn't intense and passes quickly, but it is generalized. (I should mention that for the last six years, I've dealt with seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp and occasionally some patches on my face.)
From what I can gather, all of this points toward polycythemia. Since my doctor didn't schedule any follow-ups after the last repeat test, should I perhaps take the initiative and request another CBC?
I am 26 years old, 190 cm, and 103 kg. Generally, I feel fine. I have days where I feel tired, but that's likely because I perform heavy physical labor for 8 to 10 hours a day. I haven't noticed any issues with breathing or weakness during work. Also, my iron is practically at the upper limit at 26, and iron binding is all within normal ranges.
Is it possible to have polycythemia or erythrocytosis if both hematocrit and hemoglobin remain within the normal limits on both tests?
I look forward to your thoughts, and I apologize for the long post and the sudden influx of information.
Thank you.
Casey Doyle3 said:The full lab report looks like this:
sed rate 12 (2-13)
Leuk 5.4 (3.4 - 9.7)
erythrocyte 5.85 H (4.34-5.72)
Hemoglobin 172 (138-175)
Hematocrit 0.478 (0.415-0.530)
MCV 81.7 L (83 -97.2)
MCHC 360 H (320-345)
RDW 11.9 (9-15)
Platelets 205
Everything else—the white blood cell differential, liver enzymes, potassium, sodium, urea—all within normal range. Nothing else is out of line...
One thing though, my MCHC has been elevated on every single test since I was a kid.
I'm 25 years old, 6'2", and 227 lbs.
Does anyone have any insight on this?
I saw my doctor today, and she mentioned these results could point toward anemia.
Now I have to go back for an iron test, and she said I might need to use an occult blood stool test kit too.
From what I understand, anemia is defined by low hemoglobin, hematocrit, or erythrocyte counts, while MCV is just a marker for it. How can I be considered anemic if my erythrocyte count is actually high and my hemoglobin and hematocrit are normal?
I'm honestly lost.
Here is my full lab report:
sedimentation rate 12 (2-13)
Leukocytes 5.4 (3.4 - 9.7)
erythrocytes 5.85 H (4.34-5.72)
Hemoglobin 172 (138-175)
Hematocrit 0.478 (0.415-0.530)
MCV 81.7 L (83 -97.2)
MCHC 360 H (320-345)
RDW 11.9 (9-15)
Platelets 205
Everything else regarding the white blood cell differential is within range. All my liver enzymes are normal, as are my potassium, sodium, and urea levels. Nothing else is out of bounds...
The only thing is, this MCHC value has been elevated on every single test I've had since I was a kid.
I am 25 years old, 188 cm, and weigh 103 kg.
Hello everyone. I recently had some blood work done because I've been dealing with occasional pains in my lower right side. It usually flares up after heavy physical exertion—some days we’re pulling 11-hour shifts doing intense manual labor.
Everything looks normal, with a few exceptions:
erythrocyte 5.85 (upper limit 5.72)
MCV 81.7 (lower limit 83)
I compared these results to my blood work from three years ago; back then, my erythrocyte was 5.68 and my MCV was exactly 83.
If anyone here understands these numbers, could you please help me make sense of what this might indicate?