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
Suffering With Polycythemia. What Should The Normal Blood Levels For This Condition Be?
I Have had polycythemia for about 3 years with bloodlets to keep level at 46 , but Jan 2012 someone changed this reading to 52 so every time I had blood tests my blood showed up normal - I was not informed about this, if I had I would have queried it. I could not understand why I had been so ill the whole of 2012, in bed most of the year, I thought it was the flu jab. I have been trying to get the consultants secretary to phone me (via Hosp blood clinic and PALS) since 28th Dec. TWO questions: How do I go about getting a second opinion privately and who also what should normal healthy blood levels be for this condition? I need to speak to a BLOOD DISORDER CONSULTANT in U.K.
Mon, 22 Jul 2013
Hi and thanks for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about your battle with polycythemia.
The normal value is set to reflect a normal blood level in the general population, This is often around 45. 46 sounds a reasonable value and i don't understand why they had to change it and more so because you were feeling good then.
What i will suggest is that you talk with your doctor and ask him upfront why it was changed and what were the reasons behind it, It could have been a simple machine error and not intentional. So before pushing further, make sure it was intentional. Also, propose they try the previous upper limit of 46 and see what the extra benefit are.
Hope you find this helpful. Feel free to return to s with more questions. I wish you well.
Dr. Ditah, MD
I am so sorry to hear about your battle with polycythemia.
The normal value is set to reflect a normal blood level in the general population, This is often around 45. 46 sounds a reasonable value and i don't understand why they had to change it and more so because you were feeling good then.
What i will suggest is that you talk with your doctor and ask him upfront why it was changed and what were the reasons behind it, It could have been a simple machine error and not intentional. So before pushing further, make sure it was intentional. Also, propose they try the previous upper limit of 46 and see what the extra benefit are.
Hope you find this helpful. Feel free to return to s with more questions. I wish you well.
Dr. Ditah, MD
I find this answer helpful
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
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 Flu vaccine
Loading Online Doctors....