Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplications/SubgroupsWhen to See a Doctor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications/Subgroups
When to See a Doctor
Polycythemia verais a blood disorder in which your body makes too many red blood cells. The condition may cause subtle symptoms, such as a generalized sense of fatigue, or it might not cause symptoms at all at an early stage.
Over time, serious complications can occur. It can cause dangerous blood clots to form, and it may progress to blood cancer and damage thebone marrow. If you have beendiagnosed with the condition, knowing its effects and complications can help you and your doctor assess the effectiveness of yourtreatmentand get additional medical help when you need it.
This article will discuss the common symptoms, rare symptoms, and complications of polycythemia vera, and when to see your doctor.
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Polycythemia vera’s symptoms are mild, and it might not cause symptoms at all until complications develop. The condition develops slowly. The average age at diagnosis is 60, although it can affect people younger than 40 years old.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to the cells of the body to provide them with energy. But when there areexcess red blood cellsin the blood vessels—which occurs with polycythemia vera—blood flow is impaired, oxygen delivery becomes inadequate, and the risk of blood clots increases.
Common symptoms of polycythemia vera include:
Before being diagnosed with polycythemia vera, you may recall having experienced some of these symptoms, or you might only remember them when your doctor brings them up during your medical visit.
Once you have been diagnosed, you should keep track of your symptoms so you can get the proper treatment for your condition. Worsening symptoms can be a sign that polycythemia is progressing.
Polycythemia vera can cause infrequent symptoms as well, and you can experience any combination of common or rare symptoms intermittently (once in a while) or constantly.
Less common symptoms include:
These effects may require medical treatment in addition to your usual treatment for polycythemia vera.
Complications/Subgroup Indications
The most common complications of polycythemia vera are bleeding and blood clots, such as the following:
These problems are considered medical emergencies, can rapidly worsen, and may lead to death.
The long-term complications of polycythemia vera include:
These conditions may cause vague symptoms of fatigue, weight loss, and generalized weakness. If you have been diagnosed with polycythemia vera, your doctor may check for complications with periodic blood tests.
If you have symptoms of these cancers, your doctor might order an imaging test or perform a biopsy (removing a tissue sample for further examination in a lab), depending on your symptoms and physical examination.
Pregnancy
Polycythemia vera can increase the risk of certain complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage and postpartum (after-delivery) complications, such as bleeding.
What to Know About Polycythemia Vera and COVID-19
When to See a Doctor/Go to the Hospital
Polycythemia vera can cause a variety of complications, and some of them are dangerous. Blood clots in the veins or arteries and bleeding anywhere in the body can cause a range of symptoms. The symptoms differ depending on which area of the body is affected.
You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following:
You and your doctor will discuss your symptoms at your regularly scheduled appointments, but you should also call your doctor if you develop changes or new symptoms.
You should get prompt medical attention if you experience any of the following:
These problems can indicate a stroke, heart attack, severe bleed, or a serious blood clot in the body.
Time MattersTimely treatment for blood clots and bleeding can have a major impact on your overall outcome and recovery.
Time Matters
Timely treatment for blood clots and bleeding can have a major impact on your overall outcome and recovery.
Summary
Polycythemia vera often has vague symptoms or no symptoms early in its course. It usually progresses slowly, and you may notice dizziness, fatigue, headache, and other symptoms. Over time, serious complications can occur, including blood clots and blood cancer.
A Word From Verywell
Polycythemia vera is a lifelong condition. It requires treatment, and thesurvival with appropriate medical carecan exceed 35 years after diagnosis for young people with the disease.
You should learn to recognize signs of worsening disease or complications. Discuss a plan of action with your doctor so you will know when to call with questions and when to seek urgent medical attention.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T.Polycythemia vera: historical oversights, diagnostic details, and therapeutic views.Leukemia.2021 Sep 3. doi:10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Polycythemia vera.Nicol C, Lacut K, Pan-Petesch B, Lippert E, Ianotto JC.Hemorrhage in essential thrombocythemia or polycythemia vera: Epidemiology, location, risk factors, and lessons learned from the literature.Thromb Haemost.2021 May;121(5):553-564. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1720979Fox S, Griffin L, Robinson Harris D.Polycythemia vera: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician.2021 Jun 1;103(11):680-687. PMID: 34060791Wille K, Bernhardt J, Sadjadian P, Becker T, Kolatzki V, Huenerbein K, Griesshammer M.The management, outcome, and postpartum disease course of 41 pregnancies in 20 women with polycythemia vera.Eur J Haematol.2021 Jul;107(1):122-128. doi:10.1111/ejh.13627
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T.Polycythemia vera: historical oversights, diagnostic details, and therapeutic views.Leukemia.2021 Sep 3. doi:10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Polycythemia vera.Nicol C, Lacut K, Pan-Petesch B, Lippert E, Ianotto JC.Hemorrhage in essential thrombocythemia or polycythemia vera: Epidemiology, location, risk factors, and lessons learned from the literature.Thromb Haemost.2021 May;121(5):553-564. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1720979Fox S, Griffin L, Robinson Harris D.Polycythemia vera: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician.2021 Jun 1;103(11):680-687. PMID: 34060791Wille K, Bernhardt J, Sadjadian P, Becker T, Kolatzki V, Huenerbein K, Griesshammer M.The management, outcome, and postpartum disease course of 41 pregnancies in 20 women with polycythemia vera.Eur J Haematol.2021 Jul;107(1):122-128. doi:10.1111/ejh.13627
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T.Polycythemia vera: historical oversights, diagnostic details, and therapeutic views.Leukemia.2021 Sep 3. doi:10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Polycythemia vera.Nicol C, Lacut K, Pan-Petesch B, Lippert E, Ianotto JC.Hemorrhage in essential thrombocythemia or polycythemia vera: Epidemiology, location, risk factors, and lessons learned from the literature.Thromb Haemost.2021 May;121(5):553-564. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1720979Fox S, Griffin L, Robinson Harris D.Polycythemia vera: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician.2021 Jun 1;103(11):680-687. PMID: 34060791Wille K, Bernhardt J, Sadjadian P, Becker T, Kolatzki V, Huenerbein K, Griesshammer M.The management, outcome, and postpartum disease course of 41 pregnancies in 20 women with polycythemia vera.Eur J Haematol.2021 Jul;107(1):122-128. doi:10.1111/ejh.13627
Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T.Polycythemia vera: historical oversights, diagnostic details, and therapeutic views.Leukemia.2021 Sep 3. doi:10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Polycythemia vera.
Nicol C, Lacut K, Pan-Petesch B, Lippert E, Ianotto JC.Hemorrhage in essential thrombocythemia or polycythemia vera: Epidemiology, location, risk factors, and lessons learned from the literature.Thromb Haemost.2021 May;121(5):553-564. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1720979
Fox S, Griffin L, Robinson Harris D.Polycythemia vera: Rapid evidence review.Am Fam Physician.2021 Jun 1;103(11):680-687. PMID: 34060791
Wille K, Bernhardt J, Sadjadian P, Becker T, Kolatzki V, Huenerbein K, Griesshammer M.The management, outcome, and postpartum disease course of 41 pregnancies in 20 women with polycythemia vera.Eur J Haematol.2021 Jul;107(1):122-128. doi:10.1111/ejh.13627
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