Iron imbalance, red blood cell production, and how you feel
An imbalance in iron levels can impact red blood cell counts and polycythemia vera (PV) symptoms
About 6 out of 10 people with PV have low iron.
It's important to understand how low iron can affect your PV and how you feel. Since iron is critical to red blood cell production, an imbalance in your iron levels can also affect your PV.
Iron is a key driver behind red blood cell production in the bone marrow
Without iron, the body can’t make hemoglobin, the protein that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.
Iron, an important nutrient, is absorbed from the food you eat and stored in the body. Around 70% of the iron stored is used to help make red blood cells.
Hepcidin is a hormone that is the primary regulator of how much iron the body absorbs, stores, and uses.
People with PV have low levels of hepcidin, which causes the body to use iron too quickly. This can lead to increased red blood cells and low iron. Since fluctuating iron levels can also lead to higher red blood cell counts, this can further increase your chance of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
Low iron can also leave people with PV vulnerable to symptoms
Iron deficiency can cause many symptoms that make daily living difficult for people with PV, including:
Fatigue (extreme exhaustion)
Trouble thinking clearly or “brain fog”
Weakness and dizziness
Shortness of breath
Even though low iron is common in PV, iron supplements are not recommended because they may increase red blood cell production and worsen your PV.
If you are feeling extreme exhaustion or mental fog, talk to your doctor to see if your iron levels are contributing to your symptoms.