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Polycythemia vera is a disease in which too many red blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Possible signs of polycythemia vera include headaches and a feeling of fullness below the ribs on the left side. Special blood tests are used to diagnose polycythemia vera.

Polycythemia vera is a disease in which too many red blood cells are made in the bone marrow.

In polycythemia vera, the blood becomes thickened with too many red blood cells. The number of white blood cells and platelets may also increase. These extra blood cells may collect in the spleen and cause it to swell. The increased number of red blood cells or platelets in the blood can cause bleeding problems and make clots form in blood vessels. This can cause serious health problems such as stroke or heart attack. In patients older than 65 years, the risk of stroke and heart attack is higher, and polycythemia vera is more likely to become acute myeloid leukemia or chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Possible signs of polycythemia vera include headaches and a feeling of fullness below the ribs on the left side.

Polycythemia vera often does not cause early symptoms. It is sometimes found during a routine blood test. Symptoms may occur as the number of blood cells increases. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

• A feeling of pressure or fullness below the ribs on the left side.
• Headaches.
• Double vision or seeing dark or blind spots that come and go.
• Itching all over the body, especially after being in warm or hot water.
• Reddened face that looks like a blush or sunburn.
• Weakness.
• Dizziness.
• Weight loss for no known reason.

Special blood tests are used to diagnose polycythemia vera.

In addition to a complete blood count, other special blood tests are used to diagnose polycythemia vera. These tests include the following:

• Arterial blood gas (ABG) test: A test in which a sample of blood is taken from an artery to measure the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood and the pH (acidity) of the blood.
• Serum erythropoietin test: A test in which a sample of blood is checked for the level of erythropoietin (a hormone that stimulates new red blood cells to be made).
• Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) test: A test in which a sample of blood is checked to measure the amount of alkaline phosphatase (an enzyme) in leukocytes (white blood cells).

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