Low Platelets

[jon22]

I had my bloods taken on the 28th April and my doctor called me to discuss my results a week later. The result was abnormal. The doctor said that I had to have another blood test as my platelet count was 140 and should be in the range 150 to 400. Another blood test was needed to see if there was a downward trend.

I went for another blood test on the 13th May and have been logging on everyday to my online medical records(my surgery operates an online system) to see my results but nothing has appeared. I rang my surgery yesterday who said the results had not been received from the hospital , so I arranged a call with my doctor for next Tuesday. I then rang the hospital where I had my bloods taken and they confirmed they had sent the results on 14th May! I am worried, so this morning I logged into my online medical records again and the results have been filed ! Not sure why it took over a week to appear in my online account?

Anyway the result is still abnormal and not only that my platelet count has dropped to 125. It says :

Platelet count - observation 125 10*9/L [150.0 - 410.0]

Below low reference limit

Also :

Total white blood count 4.2 10*9/L [4.0 - 10.0]

Red blood cell count 4.93 10*12/L [4.5 - 5.5]

Neutrophil count 1.8 10*9/L [2.0 - 7.0]

Below low reference limit

Basophil count 0.03 10*9/L [0.02 - 0.1]

I have now got to wait until next Tuesday for my appointment with my doctor.

All very worrying.

Could it be the 10mg prasugrel that I am on affecting my platelet count?

I looked back over my blood test results and pre-heart attack it was 159 so even then it was just in the normal range. Now its 125 and appears to be falling.

Many thanks.

[Nathan53]

Hi jon22 - I have attached a link which identifies possible side effects linked to Effient (Prasugrel). My understanding is that all anti platelet meds can cause a low platelet count in some people. I see from previous post you also had a bleed in the eye which is again linked to pradugrel. Perhaps check over the link as a basis for discussion with GP. You could also speak with BHF Nurse.

Low platelet can also be due to other health conditions so I would be aiming to establish what the cause is. webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1526...

[RoyM]

My platelet count varies from 127 to 135 and after various discussions the low count was attributed to my anticoagulant (Apixiban) its been at this level for over four years now.

[jon22]

Hi, Thanks for all your helpful comments.

I had my discussion with my GP last Tuesday (26th May), who said that she would have to take guidance from a haematologist and call me back. I also said to her that a day prior to the 26th May I had a flare up of my gum infection under my 4 lower front teeth that several years ago I had root canal fillings. I said that I had called my dentist who had prescribed a weeks course of amoxicillin 500g to be taken 3 times a day.

Yesterday (1st June) my doctor called me back to say that I needed another blood test as the hematologist was concerned that my neutrophils were below the norm at the same time as my platelets were below normal. I think neutrophils suggest that I have a low white blood count level.

She booked me in for an urgent blood test on 3/3/20. I reminded her I was on a course of amoxicillin and would this affect the results. She said yes ! , so now I am booked in for 16th June to give the amoxicillin time to get out of my system.

All very worrying and another 2 week wait for the blood test.

Does anyone have any experience of low neutrophils at the same time as low platelets?

Many thanks.

NB. I called my dentist again this morning and they have put me on the waiting list to see me when the Covid ban is lifted.