Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Is Polycythemia Vera A Genetic Transmitted Disease?
I have a 27 y/o daughter, she has had one child, normal pregnancy with c section delivery. Her birth control choice is the birth control shot. She still has a heavy period every month lasting up to 2 weeks. She gets her injections through the health dept.(generic injections) Before she got pregnant, and still on Dads insurance, she got name brand injections and had no period. A few months back her father was diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera. Is it possible there maybe a generic thing here? The health department nurses are puzzled why her periods are still long and heavy. During her pregnancy her iron level stayed at 14. My iron was low with all three of my pregnancy. Sorry my ?? is long. Needed you to know the facts.
Thu, 18 Apr 2013
hi
Most cases of polycythemia vera are not inherited. This condition is associated with genetic changes that are somatic, which means they are acquired during a person's lifetime and are present only in certain cells.
In rare instances, polycythemia vera has been found to run in families. In some of these families, the risk of developing polycythemia vera appears to have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Autosomal dominant inheritance means that one copy of an altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase the risk of developing polycythemia vera, although in these cases no causative genes have been identified. In these families, people seem to inherit an increased risk of polycythemia vera, not the disease itself.
Hope it helps.
Most cases of polycythemia vera are not inherited. This condition is associated with genetic changes that are somatic, which means they are acquired during a person's lifetime and are present only in certain cells.
In rare instances, polycythemia vera has been found to run in families. In some of these families, the risk of developing polycythemia vera appears to have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Autosomal dominant inheritance means that one copy of an altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase the risk of developing polycythemia vera, although in these cases no causative genes have been identified. In these families, people seem to inherit an increased risk of polycythemia vera, not the disease itself.
Hope it helps.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Provera
Loading Online Doctors....