I Have PCT, Even After 4 Attempts At Phlebotomy Via

Posted on Sat, 28 Dec 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 28 Dec 2019 Answered on

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Question : I have PCT, even after 4 attempts at phlebotomy via a port, my ferritin and porphyrin levels immediately rise...I do not drink, smoke and eat healthy..was diagnosed 10 years ago...I have no predisposed criteria except one marker heterozygous 63D....3 doctors later no answers...cannot take recommended drugs..Need to know what I am doing wrong to contribute to recurrence. 79 year old female with fibromyalgia for 28 years.. XXXXXXX coons --- YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Chemotherapy also needs to be started in addition to phlebotomy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on Ask a Doctor service.

I understand from your query that you are suffering from porphyria cuta tarda and probably polycythemia vera.
You have been undergoing phlebotomty to reduce high haemoglobin levels however, phlebotomty is not able to reduce ferritin to desired levels.
In addition to phlebotomy, chemotherapy is also recommended to reduce high haemoglobin and ferritin levels.
Ferritin level less that 40 are desirable.
I would like to go through all of your reports.
Kindly upload all of your reports for more information.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (31 hours later)

I do not really have any recent reports except lab results and I also do not know how to download.Your answer is interesting; no one has mentioned this to me...the closest specialist to me is 2 hours away; I deal with local hemato-
logists...I am incapacitated and my husband is 90 so getting to Manhatten Is difficult I wil mention this as discreetly as I can to my Dr Rubin... and my PCP.. thank you XXXXXXX coons

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Previous blood reports are required

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again.
Your previous reports are required for any further discussion.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T