Suggest Treatment For Polycythemia And Increase In Cholesterol Levels

Posted on Sun, 12 Jul 2015

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

Sun, 12 Jul 2015 Answered on

Mon, 3 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have polycythemia (diagnosed March 2015) and my cholesterol has shot up to 292 from 200 last October. I believe a high cholesterol food I was eating caused it. I have discontinued that food. I don't smoke. I'm 65. I have RA and take Humira. It has been determined that I don't have the JAK2 gene mutation, so the feeling is the Humira is causing the polycythemia. Question: is there any correlation between high cholesterol and polycythemia? XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Hardik Sanghvi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No there is no relation between them.

Detailed Answer:
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
Your high cholesterol has no relation with polycythemia.

You should take low fat diet with high amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. You can take drugs like atorvastatin or pravastatin to control your cholesterol level.
It is prescription based medicine so consult your doctor and take treatment accordingly.

For polycythemia continue with phlebotomy and aspirin. Start hydroxyurea according to your doctor's advice.

Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar