Increase in Red Blood Cells.

• RBCs carry oxygen to tissues
• Can be inherited or acquired
• Blood becomes thick/viscous

HEREDITARY/FAMILIAL
Due to an intrinsic defect of bone marrow stem cells.

SECONDARY/ACQUIRED
Body produces red cells due to a lack of oxygenation (hypoxemia). Happens in response to tissue hypoxia (smoking), chronic heart/lung diseases, tumors, sleep apnea, long term exposure to high altitude or use of androgenic steroids (testosterone therapy).

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Most due to increased blood viscosity. Headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath (SOB), nosebleeds, blurred vision, anorexia, weakness. If extreme, may lead to increased risk of stroke or heart attack.

DEFERRAL
Accept if hemoglobin (Hgb) within normal limits and not related to Primary Polycythemia or Myeloproliferative disorder.

renalandurologynews.com
mayomedicalllaboratories.com

A disorder that causes the body to absorb too much dietary iron.

• Also known as iron overload disorder
• Too much stored iron, if left untreated, can damage joints, organs (particularly skin, heart, liver and pancreas) and can be fatal.

HEREDITARY HEMOCHROMATOSIS (HHC)
TYPE 1: An inherited, genetic disorder is the most common type and appears in adulthood.
Type 2: A juvenile-onset disorder. Iron accumulation begins early in life and symptoms may appear in childhood.
Type 3: Intermediate between types 1 and 2. Onset usually begins before age 30.
Type 4: AKA Ferroportin disease which starts as an adult.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Early symptoms: fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, and loss of sex drive.
Advanced symptoms: arthritis, liver disease, diabetes, heart abnormalities, and skin discoloration.

DEFERRAL
Permanent Deferral

healthline.com
ghr.nlm.nih.gov
hemoghromatosis.org
irondisorders.org

A disorder where the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

• Sometimes called erythrocytosis incorrectly as it is specific to an increase in red cells only.

PRIMARY POLYCYTHEMIA
Polycythemia Vera is a slow growing blood cancer in your bone marrow due to a genetic mutation. This mutation is generally not inherited.

SECONDARY POLYCYTHEMIA
Secondary polycythemia is a general term for the overproduction of red blood cells that occurs secondary to a known cause.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Most due to increased blood viscosity. Itchy skin, headaches, blurred vision, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, excessive sweating, painful swelling of one joint (often big toe), shortness of breath, burning in hands and/or feet and feeling of fullness in abdomen due to an enlarged spleen.

DEFERRAL
Permanent Deferral

leukaemia.org.au
nhlbi.nih.gov
mayoclinic.org