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Diagnosed Polysythemia Vera. Prescribed Hydroxyurea, Phlebotomy. Hydroxyurea Causes Leukemia?
My husband was diagnosed with polysythemia vera about a year and a half ago. One specialist told him to eat meat only once a week and stay away from foods high in minerals. He also told him that phlebotomies were the best course. The specialist he is going to now says that food has nothing to do with it. He put him on one 500mg of hydroxyurea a day and an occasional phlebotomy when he thinks it is necessary. My husband is an otherwise very healthy 71 year old who walks 5 miles a day. Who do we listen to? We are worried that hydroxyurea can cause leukemia.
Thu, 31 Oct 2013
Hi,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic,
Polycythemia vera myeloproliferative blood disorder in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells
To prevent thrombotic complication in this disease keep hematocrit (red blood cell percentage) down below 45 for men.
Bloodletting (called venesection or phlebotomy) is one form of treatment, which often may be combined with other therapies like Hydroxyurea.
The removal of blood from the body reduces the blood volume and brings down the hematocrit levels.
Hydroxyurea is antimetabolite used to treat this condition. The risk of Leukemia is there but rare and if it does occur it would take years after the drug is used.
If you are getting this drug, your doctor feels this risk is outweighed by the risk of what might happen if you do not get this drug.
Good Luck.
Dr.Akhilesh Dubey M.D.
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic,
Polycythemia vera myeloproliferative blood disorder in which the bone marrow makes too many red blood cells
To prevent thrombotic complication in this disease keep hematocrit (red blood cell percentage) down below 45 for men.
Bloodletting (called venesection or phlebotomy) is one form of treatment, which often may be combined with other therapies like Hydroxyurea.
The removal of blood from the body reduces the blood volume and brings down the hematocrit levels.
Hydroxyurea is antimetabolite used to treat this condition. The risk of Leukemia is there but rare and if it does occur it would take years after the drug is used.
If you are getting this drug, your doctor feels this risk is outweighed by the risk of what might happen if you do not get this drug.
Good Luck.
Dr.Akhilesh Dubey M.D.
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