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Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
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The effect of iron deficiency on whole blood viscosity in polycythaemic patients

R D Hutton

    British Journal of Haematology
    |October 1, 1979
    PubMed

    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.

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