What You Need To Know About Secondary Polycythemia: Treatment & Symptoms

Secondary polycythemia is a condition that affects the red blood cells in the body. It is characterized by an increase in red blood cell production, which can lead to an array of health issues including an enlarged spleen, enlarged liver, and high levels of hemoglobin or hematocrit. If left untreated, these symptoms can worsen over time and pose serious risks to a person’s life. In this blog post, we will explore what secondary polycythemia is, what its symptoms are, and how it can be treated. We’ll also look at the importance of early diagnosis and the steps you should take if you suspect you might have this condition.

What is Secondary Polycythemia?

When your body makes too many red blood cells, it’s called polycythemia. It can be primary or secondary. With primary polycythemia (also called erythrocytosis), your bone marrow makes too many red blood cells on its own. With secondary polycythemia, something else is causing your bone marrow to make too many red blood cells.

For example, if you have a condition that keeps your body from getting enough oxygen, like COPD or sleep apnea, your body will try to compensate by making more red blood cells. That way, there are more cells available to carry oxygen to the tissues. This is called hypoxemia-induced erythrocytosis. Another cause of secondary polycythemia is living at a high altitude. The air at high altitudes has less oxygen than at lower altitudes. So people who live at high altitudes may have an increase in red blood cells to help carry oxygen to their tissues.

Polycythemia can also be caused by certain tumors, such as paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas. These tumors make hormones that tell the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. And finally, taking certain drugs can cause polycythemia. For example, anabolic steroids and erythropoietin (a drug used to treat anemia) can both lead to an increase in red blood cells.

Causes of Secondary Polycythemia

The main cause of secondary polycythemia is an underlying disorder that causes the body to produce too many red blood cells. Common disorders that can lead to secondary polycythemia include:

-Chronic lung disease: When the lungs are not able to get enough oxygen, the body compensates by producing more red blood cells in an attempt to increase oxygen delivery to the tissues.

-Heart disease: Disorders of the heart can also lead to secondary polycythemia, as the body tries to compensate for the decreased cardiac output by increasing red blood cell production.

-Cancer: Certain types of cancer, such as kidney cancer, can cause the body to produce excess amounts of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.

Symptoms of Secondary Polycythemia

There are a few different ways to develop secondary polycythemia. The most common way is through living at high altitudes. When you live at high altitudes, your body has to work harder to get oxygen into your bloodstream. This causes your heart to pump faster and your blood vessels to constrict. Over time, this can lead to an increase in red blood cells. Other causes of secondary polycythemia include smoking, certain lung diseases, and sleep apnea.

The most common symptom of secondary polycythemia is feeling tired all the time. You may also have shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, or trouble sleeping. If you have any of these symptoms.

How is Secondary Polycythemia Diagnosed?

According to the Mayo Clinic, “secondary polycythemia is diagnosed by a physical examination and review of your medical history.

Other tests that may be ordered include:
-A complete blood count (CBC) to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood
-A serum erythropoietin test to measure the amount of erythropoietin in your blood. Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells
-A bone marrow biopsy, which involves removing a small sample of bone marrow tissue for laboratory analysis. This can help determine if there is an underlying disorder causing secondary polycythemia

Treatment for Secondary Polycythemia

If you have been diagnosed with secondary polycythemia.This can be done through phlebotomy, which is a procedure where blood is drawn from your veins. In some cases, medication may also be prescribed to help lower your hematocrit levels.

Living with Secondary Polycythemia

If you have been diagnosed with secondary polycythemia, it is important to be aware of the treatments and symptoms associated with this condition. Secondary polycythemia is a condition in which your body produces too many red blood cells. This can lead to an increased risk of clotting, which can lead to strokes or heart attacks. Treatment for secondary polycythemia typically involves phlebotomy, or the removal of excess red blood cells from the body. This can help to reduce the risks associated with clotting. Symptoms of secondary polycythemia may include fatigue, shortness of breath, and headaches. 

Conclusion

Secondary polycythemia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and treat, but with the right course of treatment it can be managed. It's important for anyone experiencing symptoms associated with secondary polycythemia in order to get an accurate diagnosis and begin appropriate treatments right away. With proper management, individuals living with secondary polycythemia can enjoy a healthy life free from life-altering symptoms and complications.