Lowering of hemoglobin and platelets after 3rd Lu177 Psma dose

[Nirman]

It’s been 1.5 months After 3rd infusion of Lu177 my Dad’s hemoglobin is lowered to 9.7 from 11 and platelets are lowered to 80000 from 125000 gradually is it obvious? Is there anything can be done about that?

[LearnAll]

Most stronger treatments such as Chemo or Lu177 etc. temporarily shock the bone marrow and stop production of red cells and platelets transiently. Later on, Hb usually recovers.

Lowering platelets by treatment is one of the ways the treatments kill and slow growth of cancer cells. Its like anti platelet therapy. Up until platelets 40,000, there is no serious risk of bleeding. He has 80,000 so he is still in safe range.

[Nirman in reply to LearnAll]

Okay thank you

[Tall_Allen]

It is because the therapy is toxic to bone marrow. Hopefully, the bone marrow will recover eventually on its own but it may take a while. There is nothing that can be done other than wait. Bone marrow stimulants require functional bone marrow. If he is seriously anemic or has internal bleeding, transfusions may help.

[Explorer08]

You might consider asking your oncologist (or hematologist) about an erythropoietin replacement treatment such as Aranesp or Procrit. My wife is on a regular regimen of Aranesp to build up her hemoglobin and hematocrit. As Tall_Allen noted, however, there could be bone marrow issues that an erythropoietin treatment might not address. Depends pretty much on the source of the bone marrow dysfunction.

Erythropoietin treatments are injections done in the doc's office and, therefore, covered by Medicare Part B.