How Polycythemia Cause Hypoglycemia?

Of the metabolic problems, the most commonly encountered is hypoglycemia (12-40%). In addition to cerebral blood flow, glucose carrying capacity also decreases in polycythemia. As a result plasma glucose concentration, especially venous one is lower than normal [9].

Can polycythemia cause low blood sugar?

A patient with polycythemia rubra vera had had a leukocyte count between 55,000 and 86,000/cu mm and had had serum glucose levels as low as 8 mg/dL. Despite these low serum glucose values, the patient was asymptomatic, and a more careful investigation disclosed that the hypoglycemia was artifactual.

How does polycythemia cause hypocalcemia?

The intense postnatal erythrocyte breakdown will increase the serum level of phosphate. This hyperphosphatemia will decrease calcium ion concentration by their combination and bone deposition, a process allowed by inadequate postnatal parathyroid gland response.