Many of them can be treated symptomatically.
And sometimes these are indicators that you needtreatmentfor your polycythemia vera.
They can worsen rapidly, and they do require prompt medical management.
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However, they can occur early, during the initial diagnostic process, as well.
Signs of polycythemia vera include:
Your doctor will periodically check for these signs at your regular appointments.
Labs and Tests
The laboratory evaluation is the most definitive diagnostic assessment of polycythemia vera.
This test includes severalmeasurements of red blood cellsand white blood cells.
Polycythemia vera is often diagnosed based on a routine CBC.
Hemoglobinis the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Hematocrit is a reflection of the volume of red blood cells in your blood.
These measures are abnormal in polycythemia vera.
Summary
The diagnosis of polycythemia vera is based on blood tests.
A Word From Verywell
A diagnosis of polycythemia vera can be unexpected, especially if found incidentally.
Be sure to note the questions you have about it and discuss them thoroughly with your healthcare professional.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Polycythemia vera.
2021;103(11):680-687.
