I came across some old Lab results.My RBC was 5.43 with a normal value of 4.0-5.4 [Adult Fem] M/cmm.This doesn't seem to high and my Doctor didn't seem concerned as he didn't say anything.After reading the results and doing a search for causes of elevated RBC,I recalled Years ago a Nurse telling me I have PV.I guess my RBC's were elevated during Blood work.I've been in Hospital and had numerous Blood work since,so why has nothing been mentioned?I've not been diagnosed with PV by any Doctor.

I wouldn't worry about it but you would probably be wise to get blood tests with your annual check-ups.... and mention that you were concerned about Polycythemia when you had a marginally high WBC.

Unless you've had a bone marrow test, then I fail to see how anyone can say you have PV. Having polycythemia doesn't mean you have PV.

BlackJAC,
I never had a Bone Marrow Test.Doctor's jump the Gun and scare the hell out of their Patients.That Doctor was rude,arrogant and a smart ***** anyway.I was more than likely Dehydrated.When young I didn't drink but maybe 2-3 (if that) glasses of Water Daily.Now that I'm older (though I love Water) I may not always drink enough.We're supposed to drink for our Weight and I know I don't drink enough for mine.

BiggerMac,
Since that former Doctor wrote in his Notes I've had TONS of Blood Tests.If any Doctor wether at Clinic or whilst I was in Hospital since then was concerned he/she/they would of mentioned and sent for further Testing.When my WBC was elevated I had a slight Infection in my L Breast and a small trace of Bacteria in my Urine.I thought our WBC's elevated when we had Infection.

LB, unless you've been given proper tests, then I wouldn't worry. Normal everyday blood tests aren't diagnostic in PV, far from it, they're only used as indicators. If your gp/s thought you had a serious condition such as PV, then they'd be failing in their duty by not sending you for specialised tests, carried out by a proper qualified specialist (a haematologist in your case).

If you think your care is falling short of what you deem to be reasonable, then you are entitled to demand a 2nd and 3rd opinion.

My high count was caused by drinking excessive caffeine and alcohol both of which are diuretics, and I'm also a smoker ( a beacon of health, eh?). I was lucky if I drank a glass of water a-week. I only noticed something was wrong when I found a hard lump on my arm which turned out to be a superficial blood clot (luckily for me it wasn't a dvt). I learnt my lesson and now look after myself and as a result my counts now fall well within normal.

BlackJAC,
The MD and an RN at the County Health Dept are the only Health Care Practioners to mention Polycythemia.That Doctor NEVER mentioned anything to ME.In fact when I first read his Notes I thought he was talking about another Patient.I never had a squeezing and simple heel stick.I'm like,"Huh?".I don't consume 3 pots of Coffee per Day,but back in the Day I drank 2-3 Cups and it was Caffeinated,was drinking 2-3 glasses of Water per Day and I smoke.What is Benzene poisoning?Is Benzene found in Soda?I don't have fillings and can't think of how I could have been poisoned by Mercury.

The primary function of red blood cells are to carry oxygen around the body i.e. organs and tissue and when the body isn't getting enough oxygen it will create more RB cells. That's why polycythemia is common in people with chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions.

I'm not saying you have either, I'm not, as you'd know about it well before the polycythemia showed up in your bloods, it's just an example.

Smoking can also cause your RBC's to rise and it's common for a smoker to have a higher count than a non-smoker due to the carbon monoxide in cigarettes.

As I mentioned earlier polycythemia is just a term used to describe an abnormal increase in RBC whereas PV is an actual disease. It's similar to being anaemic, just because someone is anaemic it doesn't mean they have pernicious anaemia. I'm just miffed at how someone could even contemplate telling you that you had PV when it's impossible to tell until you've had the proper tests. That's like me telling someone they have a brain tumour all because they happen to have a headache. It makes no sense. :confused:

I'm no expert, nor do I claim to be, but I know how worrying this can be as I've been through exactly the same scenario as yourself. If you have any question whatsoever, no matter how silly they may seem, please do not hesitate to ask as my haematologist gave me a ton of information when I went armed with dozens of questions and it's all still relatively fresh in my memory.

The best advice I can offer you at this time is DO NOT go reading garbage on the internet as it will only convince you that your doomed and there's no hope whatsoever. Health sites will only give information on what is wrong with you rather than what's NOT wrong with you, if you get my meaning.