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Essential Thrombocythemia: Looking for information and support
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Nov 4 11:06am | Replies (597)Comment receiving replies
Good morning, @taisaint. Welcome you to Mayo Connect. You’ve recently been diagnosed Essential thrombocythemia and Polycythemia vera.
Both of these are blood conditions where your bone marrow is producing too many of a specific blood cell. In the case of ET there are too many platelets which can cause clotting issues. With PV there are too many red blood cells which can also have its share of problems.
I’m posting links to a few articles below to get you started on information. The articles are from Healthline.com. They are well written and give a good overview of ET and PV without overloading you with more than necessary at this point.
https://www.healthline.com/health/primary-thrombocythemia
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https://www.healthline.com/health/polycythemia-vera
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Both conditions of PV and ET may be indications that your bone marrow, which is the central blood manufacturing site of body, is compromised and not able to produce healthy blood cells. Both are symptoms of what is called Myeloproliferative neoplasms MPN. There can be changes taking place in the bone marrow which can alter the normal DNA division to allow for uncontrolled cell division.
Here’s more on this disorder and how it relates to PV and ET.
https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/myeloproliferative-disorders
Do you mind sharing a bit more about how you were diagnosed? Have you had a bone marrow biopsy or blood work for possible mutations? Were you having symptoms or was this found with a routine cbc?
Replies to "Good morning, @taisaint. Welcome you to Mayo Connect. You’ve recently been diagnosed Essential thrombocythemia and Polycythemia..."
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HI Lori - I hope I am replying to the right section. If not, please advise. More about me... I was recently diagnosed as of 11/13. My daughter (25) encouraged me to get checked out b/c I would experience inconsistent and random fatigue and recently my feet began to swell and were tender to touch. I salsa dance 4 days per week and attributed my feet to practice. After receiving a full CBC with my primary, I was referred to a Hematologist. The bone marrow biopsy determined Jak 2 mutation and that I have both PV and ET with an iron deficiency as well. I knew I was special and both both rare disorders [insert sarcasm here]. I am 45, and to my knowledge, live a majority healthy and somewhat active life style. I try to eat healthy and splurge in moderation. This is such new diagnosis for me, I am trying to learn more about my conditions. The current treatment plan is Hydrea and daily dose of Aspirin. I submitted a inquiry with the Hematologist b/c I am not clear why I am not a candidate for Phlebotomy.