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The Effect of Iron Deficiency on Whole Blood Viscosity in Polycythaemic Patients
Author(s) -
Hutton R. D.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1979.tb03741.x
Subject(s) - polycythaemia , blood viscosity , medicine , whole blood , iron deficiency , hypoxia (environmental) , hemoglobin , oxygen , chemistry , anemia , organic chemistry
S ummary . Iron deficiency leads to a significant increase in whole blood viscosity in polycythaemic patients. This can be corrected by simultaneous treatment with iron and venesection. In patients with polycythaemia secondary to hypoxia the haemoglobin concentration may be increased by treating coexisting iron deficiency, without altering the whole blood viscosity, thus increasing oxygen availability to the tissues. Values for whole blood viscosity can be derived from the peripheral blood Hb and MCH, allowing therapeutic decisions to be made on the basis of a simple haematological examination.