Diagnosis

Your doctor will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical exam.

Blood tests

If you have polycythemia vera, blood tests might reveal:

• More red blood cells than normal and, sometimes, an increase in platelets or white blood cells
• A greater percentage of red blood cells that make up total blood volume (hematocrit measurement)
• Elevated levels of the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen (hemoglobin)

Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy

If your doctor suspects that you have polycythemia vera, he or she might recommend collecting a sample of your bone marrow through a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy.

A bone marrow biopsy involves taking a sample of solid bone marrow material. A bone marrow aspiration is usually done at the same time. During an aspiration, your doctor withdraws a sample of the liquid portion of your marrow.

Specific gene testing

If you have polycythemia vera, analysis of your bone marrow or blood might show the gene mutation that's associated with the disease.