A year and a half ago, I presented a hemoglobin of 7g with no evidence of bleeding in upper or lower GI as per scans. The referral to a Hematology/ Oncology doctor revealed an iron deficient anemia. She ruled out a multitude of other diseases that could cause this. I received two separate iron infusions which brought my hemoglobin to 13.5. Since then, I’ve had two six month follow ups. My hemoglobin is now dropping a little,12.3g but I still have a reserve of iron.
The recent batch of testing revealed that I have a JAK2 mutation with a low hemoglobin, slight increase in WBCs and elevated platelets 545. I’m labeled as having PV and have been put on hydroxyurea. I haven’t found anything in the literature about anemia with PV.
Guess I’m in denial.
Ironically I started my career in Hematology before I specialized in genetics. So, I understand the values and symptoms.
I can’t find any information that says you can have polycythemia with a low red count.
Be sure your heme/onc doctor tests for a JAK2 deletion.