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How Does Polycythemia Vera Affect Blood Sugar Levels?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014
Question: polycythemia and diabetes. How does PV affect blood sugar levels.
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Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
CAuse HbA1c to go high

Detailed Answer:
Good day,

Noted your concern.
Polycythemia doesnt cause diabetes directly. However, there are rare genetic conditions here diabetes and polycythemia can co exist. Many drugs used to treat polycythemia can cause diabetes. ( eg: Interferons).

Besides, in polcythemia, Haemoglobin ( Hb) levels are high and this will cause the glycated haemoglobin ( HbA1c) to spuriously increase. This means that even if the blood sugar values remain okay, the HBA1c can stay elevated.

Hope you understood the relation of HbA1c and Polycythemia

Regards
Binu
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1438 Questions

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How Does Polycythemia Vera Affect Blood Sugar Levels?

Brief Answer: CAuse HbA1c to go high Detailed Answer: Good day, Noted your concern. Polycythemia doesnt cause diabetes directly. However, there are rare genetic conditions here diabetes and polycythemia can co exist. Many drugs used to treat polycythemia can cause diabetes. ( eg: Interferons). Besides, in polcythemia, Haemoglobin ( Hb) levels are high and this will cause the glycated haemoglobin ( HbA1c) to spuriously increase. This means that even if the blood sugar values remain okay, the HBA1c can stay elevated. Hope you understood the relation of HbA1c and Polycythemia Regards Binu