Cause of Polycythaemia Vera

[PolarFlo]

Hello, I appreciate there is probably not a definitive answer to my question but I was wondering if there could be a link between platelet donation and subsequent PV diagnosis.

I gave platelets some years ago and on one occasion when I gave blood, I was told there was an anomaly and to get a blood test from the GP. I did that and didn’t get any feedback. Some time later, I tried to give blood again but was still on record as not suitable. I didn’t think anything more of it and on diagnosis, the GP said my bloods were ‘normal’ at my last blood test in 2016.

Anyway, thinking about how hard the body works to replenish after a regular blood donation, my mind is thinking did my bone marrow think it was in starvation mode and go haywire?

Any thoughts would be welcome. 💕

[hunter5582]

Polycythemia Vera is caused in the vast majority of cases by the JAK2 mutation. This mutation upregulated the production of RBCs and/or platelets and.or WBCs, Whole blood donation can cause reactive thrombocytosis, but this is temporary. Whole blood donation can also cause a reduction in iron levels, which would reduce the production of RBCs,

It sounds like when you attempted a blood donation they noted that you had erythrocytosis. While this can be caused by another condition that causes hypoxia (Secondary Polycythemia) when diagnosed with PV, the erythrocytosis is a primary condition caused by the JAK2 mutation.

[PolarFlo in reply to hunter5582]

Many thanks for taking the time to respond.

[Ovidess]

My platelets were high for 30 years before a diagnosis of ET, then quickly PV. But before diagnosis: Knowing the platelets were high, but believing as doctors had led me to believe that it was my norm, I went to the blood bank to give platelets only, a slow process. Evidently it was even slower because of my platelet situation, which I'd explained beforehand. They also said I should not come back, and never gave me a reason, which I think is rather rude and unprofessional. Even if it is not the blood bank's job to diagnose or warn, I think the precautionary "if you see something say something" applies here. I would have reached a diagnosis earlier. Anyhow, it is unfortunate that those of us with too much can't give to those with too little in this particular case.

I guess mutations are a form of "go haywire," and we never know what pushes us over the brink. We are subtle machines!

[PolarFlo in reply to Ovidess]

Thank you for your insight. Isn’t ironic that we have lots of blood to give but it’s useless.

That was extremely rude and ungracious; certainly makes you think twice.

You are right; mutations and haywire are partners in crime. 🫠