ET -JAK2 on HU concern on MCV high count

Posted by mlmk0601 @mlmk0601, Oct 21 1:02pm

I have been on Hydroxyurea for 1 1/2. I’m on 500 once a day. My platelets are tracking at 405k. I am borderline anemia. But aside from fatigue doing well. My concern is on my MCV (red blood cell size) increasing due to the medicine. The hematologist says not to worry it just how the med works. Makes the reds more plump but should not increase my stroke or clot factors. Have any of you also received the same response from your hematologist?

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debhammel | @debhammel | Oct 22 7:20am

Yes. Several of my blood count measures are off - either high or low - since starting HU two years ago. My heme/onc says every time "this is how I know you are taking the medication as prescribed" and tells me not to worry about it. MCV is one that is consistently high.

irishnanny3 | @irishnanny3 | Oct 23 7:26am

Been on hydroxyurea since 2018
My hematologist/inc agrees with yours. Same concern I had
Same response

eloise999 | @eloise999 | Oct 24 10:10am

Yes. I understand it is a side effect of Hydrea.

pineyb | @pineyb | Oct 25 1:37pm

My Onc/ hematologist told me not to worry about MCV numbers. It’s just part of how HU works..

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