Increase in cell counts - polycythaemia
Description
- Polycythaemia = Hb, red cell count and red cell mass all above the upper limit of normal
- Erythrocytosis = the measured Hb/Hct is raised; the red cell mass may or may not be
Three categories - separate them first
| Red cell mass | Plasma volume | EPO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary (PV) | inc | Normal/inc | dec (subnormal) |
| Secondary | inc | Normal | Normal or inc |
| Relative/apparent (Gaisböck) | Normal | dec | Normal |
- Polycythaemia (rubra) vera = a myeloproliferative neoplasm - autonomous erythropoiesis, EPO-independent
- Relative polycythaemia: diuretics, dehydration, obesity, alcohol, smoking, hypertension - no marrow disease, no cytoreduction
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