Polycythemia vera
Alternative Names
Primary polycythemia; Polycythemia rubra vera; Myeloproliferative disorder; Erythremia; Splenomegalic polycythemia; Vaquez's disease; Osler's disease; Polycythemia with chronic cyanosis - Myelopathic polycythemia; Erythrocytosis megalosplenica; Cryptogenic polycythemiaSymptoms
- Breathing difficulty when lying down
- Dizziness
- Fullness in the left upper abdomen
- Headache
- Itchiness, especially following a warm bath
- Red coloration, especially of the face
- Shortness of breath
- Symptoms of phlebitis
Note: Symptoms are due to increased blood thickness and clotting.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
- Bluish skin discoloration
- Fatigue
- Skin spots, red
- Vision problems
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Tests that may be done include:
- Bone marrow biopsy
- Blood volume
- Chemistry panel
- Complete blood count with differential
- Hematocrit
- White blood count
- Platelet count
- Vitamin B12 level
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
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