increased white blood cells

[Anzo]

what makes your wbc increase in polycythemia

[hunter5582]

The JAK2 mutation can cause an increase in all types of blood cells, RBCs, PLTs and WBCs. How the JAK2 mutation manifests is different for each person with it. Some will see only one type of blood cell level increase. Others will see various combinations. Also note that there are various types of WBCs, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Basophils, etc. Any one of these or all of them can be increased. I experienced mild basophilia in addition to thrombocytosis and erythrocytosis.

The JAK2 mutation causes hematopoietic stem cells to self-phosphorylate. In essence, the on-switch is always on. The cells do not need one of the normal triggering ligands (EPO, TPO) to trigger the production of blood cells. Why the same mutation causes the different types of blood cells to be overproduced in different people is not well understood. Perhaps someday it will be.

Hope that helps.

[Anzo in reply to hunter5582]

thanks hunter for your reply.

Was at hospital appointment yesterday and haematologist wants to increase ruxolitinib dose to 20mg twice daily because wbc are elevated and was just wondering what makes them elevated

[william-Indo in reply to Anzo]

WBC may increase caused by infection of inflamation.

[hunter5582 in reply to Anzo]

William-Indo is correct. WBC can also increase temporarily as an immune response. This the body's normal response to an infection. If your doc is raising the dose of RUX, it sounds like the leukocytosis has been sustained over time and the doc thinks it is a function of the MPN.

Hope the dose increase works for reaching your treatment targets.

[Anzo in reply to hunter5582]

thanks again for your help. I always feel a bother at hospital and never ask any questions. My PV is more complicated as I also have multiple myeloma and I’m trying to deal with both.

[hunter5582 in reply to Anzo]

Managing a co-occurring multiple myeloma would be a challenge. Certainly makes everything more complex. It makes it all the more critical to ensure that you have a MPN Specialist on your care team rather than a regular hematologist.

Good providers never mind patients asking questions. They welcome them as it enhances the quality of the patient's care. You should never feel you are being a bother. Assertive patients receive higher quality care. passive patients do not. You deserve the highest quality of care that can be provided.