Basal Metabolism in Polycythemia Vera

Abstract

In 23 cases of typical polycythemia vera the basal rate ranged between +3 and +51% prior to treatment. In 15 cases the rate was above the normal range. There is no relation in this series between the basal metabolic rate and the increase in the blood volume, the cell volume, the erythrocyte count, or the concentration of hemoglobin. Treatment of the disease in 10 cases had a variable effect on the basal rate, although it produced a reduction in the blood volume and the erythrocyte count. The cause of the tendency toward increased production of heat in this disease is unknown.