Introduction Polycythemia results from increased hemoglobin or hematocrit login to view 12 more bullets This topic focuses on secondary polycythemia Secondary Polycythemia Etiology Pathology Hypoxia Cardiopulmonary disease: cyanotic heart disease chronic pulmonary disease obstructive sleep apnea High altitude Carbon monoxide toxicity Smoking Combination of hypoxia, lung disease, carbon monoxide toxicity, and volume contraction Renal disease Kidneys sense decreased oxygen levels: reduced blood flow to the kidneys (renal artery stenosis) intrinsic renal disorder (renal cysts) (hydronephrosis) Renal transplantation Tumor Due to autonomous production of EPO Hepatocellular carcinoma Renal cell carcinoma Pheochromocytoma Hemangioblastoma Uterine leiomyomata Other Blood "doping" Self-injection of EPO Anabolic steroid use Studies Peripheral blood smear login to view 1 more bullet Serum EPO login to view 4 more bullets Complete blood count login to view 1 more bullet Urinalysis and creatinine Electrolytes Liver function test Pulse oximetry Differential Primary polycythemia login to view 3 more bullets Treatment Medical login to view 1 more bullet Complications Thrombosis