Erythrocytosis

Abstract

This 68-year-old white man was first seen at University Hospitals 17 years ago. At that time he presented because of a history of an elevated blood count and hypertension of eight months’ duration. Both of these findings had been discovered at the time of a routine physical examination. Although the patient had considered himself in excellent health, he did recall that he had had mild right frontal headache for many years. He also had noted itching after showering for ten years, and felt that the itching had become worse in the previous five years. He had noted some increase in ruddiness of his complexion over the past several years. He also had had episodes of light-headedness, but denied any loss of consciousness, neurologic problems, hemorrhage, thrombosis, petechiae, joint pains or weight loss. Although he did not know the level of his hematocrit, his physician had requested that he undergo phlebotomy, and he had had five units of blood removed over seven or eight months. With that treatment he felt that his ruddiness had lessened.