treatment
Last reviewed 01/2018
The primary disease must be treated in order to lower the circulating erythropoietin.
The value of phlebotomy is questionable. It is indicated only when:
- erythrocytosis is severe
- blood is viscous and flow sluggish
- operative intervention, e.g. for tumours, is being considered and pre-operative reduction of haematocrit is necessitated
Myelosuppressive therapy must never be used to treat secondary erythrocytosis.