What's the difference between mild polycythemia and polycythemia vera?
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a specific type of myeloproliferative neoplasm where your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells due to a genetic mutation, most commonly in the JAK2 gene. It's a chronic blood cancer that progresses slowly over time.
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What's the difference between mild polycythemia and polycythemia vera?
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a specific type of myeloproliferative neoplasm where your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells due to a genetic mutation, most commonly in the JAK2 gene. It's a chronic blood cancer that progresses slowly over time.
The term "mild polycythemia" isn't a formal diagnosis but might refer to:
- Early-stage PV with less severe symptoms
- Secondary polycythemia (elevated red blood cells from other causes like smoking, sleep apnea, or living at high altitude)
- Borderline high red blood cell counts that don't yet meet PV diagnostic criteria
The key difference is that PV is caused by a bone marrow disorder with genetic mutations, while other forms of polycythemia have different underlying causes. PV also typically involves low erythropoietin (EPO) levels, whereas secondary polycythemia usually has normal or high EPO.
If you're seeing elevated red blood cell counts, it's important to work with a hematologist who can run specific tests including JAK2 mutation testing and bone marrow biopsy to determine whether you have PV or another condition causing the elevation.
February 17
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