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Suggest Treatment For Polycythemia
Hi. My brother has been diagnosed with polycythemia. His consultant is going to further liase with the haematologist to establish whether it is a long term condition to due past anabolic steroid use. If this is the case what is the treatment and outlook likely to be be?
Tue, 22 Mar 2016
Hello dear,
Understand your concern.
Take the following advice:
Aim of treatment to reduce blood count, haematocrit to prevent future complication.
Initially,
1. Phlebotomy: Keep the hematocrit below 45 %
2. Aspirin : 80mg daily
3. Ruxolitinib can be used.
For maintenance therapy:
Cytoreductive therpy is used
If WBC: >7000/ul-risk of thrombosis is increased.
Tablet Hydroxyurea: 500 mg twice daily, should betake after doctor consult It is depends upon RBC count.
If refractory to hydroxyurea, Interferon alfa can be used.
Hope this may be help you
Wish you good health
Dr. Sagar
Understand your concern.
Take the following advice:
Aim of treatment to reduce blood count, haematocrit to prevent future complication.
Initially,
1. Phlebotomy: Keep the hematocrit below 45 %
2. Aspirin : 80mg daily
3. Ruxolitinib can be used.
For maintenance therapy:
Cytoreductive therpy is used
If WBC: >7000/ul-risk of thrombosis is increased.
Tablet Hydroxyurea: 500 mg twice daily, should betake after doctor consult It is depends upon RBC count.
If refractory to hydroxyurea, Interferon alfa can be used.
Hope this may be help you
Wish you good health
Dr. Sagar
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