Approach to polycythemia 

True Polycythemia VS pseudopolycuthemia 

• red cell mass is the key, if red cell mass is within normal range - pseudopolycythemia 

Polycythemia vera 

most  common myeloproliferative neoplasia 

JAK 2 mutation 

Pseudopolycythemia - hematocrit increased but red cell mass within normal range 

• due to contraction in plasma volume 

severe dehydration, 

Gasibock syndrome: obese, consymption of cigrattes, use of diuretics, excessive alcohol 

True polycythemia - Primary and secondary 

Primary 1. Polycythemia vera, familal and congenital 

Secondary - central hypoxic process, chronic lung diszease, smorker's

 erythropoiesis , high altitude, renal disease