This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Polycythaemia (apparent)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Apparent polycythaemia (apparent erythrocytosis) describes an normal or minimally raised red cell volume with a reduced plasma volume. Causes include:

  • transient apparent polycythaemia:
    • dehydration
    • diuretic therapy
  • chronic apparent polycythaemia:
    • spurious polycythaemia
    • stress erythrocytosis - Gaisbock's syndrome

Management of apparent erythrocytosis patients include

  • spontaneous improvement is the rule
  • targeting in reduction or elimination of precipitating factors: smoking, obesity, hypertension and high alcohol consumption (1)
  • if no such factors are identified, venesection should be considered in the following patients
    • a recent history of thrombosis, or with additional risk factors for thrombosis
    • when the PCV is chronically greater than 0.54 (1).

Notes:

  • true increased red cell mass (i.e. not apparent erythrocytosis) can be assumed when the haematocrit is over 60% in males and 56% in females (2)
  • haematocrit returns to within the normal range in up to 30% of patients with untreated apparent erythrocytosis if serial measurements are undertaken (3)
  • those with a raised Hct but an Red Cell Mass studies within the normal range have an apparent erythrocytosis (4)
    • a relative erythrocytosis, found in states of dehydration, can be confirmed when the RCM is within the normal range and plasma volume is below normal
    • patients with a relative or apparent erythrocytosis require no further investigation

Reference:


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.