Polycythaemia

Question 1

Relative PC

Answer 1

Dehydration/excessive diuretic

Question 2

Absolute PC

Answer 2

Raised RBC mass
Primary or 2ndary

Question 3

Gaisbock’s syndrome can cause a […]-polycythaemia a disorder that is more common in young male adults, particularly […], and is associated with […], which reduces plasma […], hence resulting in the raised haemoglobin.

Answer 3

pseudo, smokers, volume

Question 4

What causes primary PC

Answer 4

Excess erythrocytosis independent of erythropoetin

Question 5

PC features
Fatigue
Headache
Visual disturbances (secondary to […])
Pruritus (typically after a […] bath
[…] (a painful burning sensation in the fingers and toes
Arterial thrombosis (such as MI or stroke)
Venous thrombosis (such as PE or DVT)
Haemorrhage (intracranial or gastrointestinal)
Paradoxical […] bleeding risk (due to impaired platelet function)
Increased risk of […] (caused by hyperuricaemia secondary to increased cell turnover).
Facial redness on examination
[…].

Answer 5

hyperviscosity
hot
Erythromelalgia
increased
gout
Splenomegaly

Question 6

2ndary PC cause

Answer 6

excess red blood cell production is driven by excess EPO