Two years ago, at age 78, I noticed severe itching after bathing. A physicians assistant noticed elevated hematocrit. (58) and elevated bilirubin and referred me toa hematologist. Eventually my jak2 was found mutated on bone marrow biopsy (painless) so we did phlebotomies and hydroxyurea to maintain good levels.
Itching is gone, but I was treated for skin cancer this year. I agree that a good hematologist matters. I have had several gout attacks this year, but no one knows why, they just increase the allopurinol. jjd