beta blockers

[Greengal314]

has anyone found beta blockers to affect their blood test results for platelet count or white blood cell count ?

I know it is used to help portal hypertension, but does it lower these serum levels at all or at least initially?

My bloodwork has been normal except for my platelets. I started taking Carvedillol and my platelet and white blood cell count both went down. The platelets had been progressively increasing. My spleen is normal size, but on the high end of normal. I haven’t had my blood checked since, and was just wondering if anyone else had some experiences for comparison.

Thanks!

[BigJimmy45]

Hi Greengal314. I am in a similar situation. I have cirrhosis and a TIPPS stent and I take propanalol as a beta blocker. My platelet count is always low. 6 months ago they were 124 and last month they had dropped further to 114, Doc said he wasn't concerned about it?

I know if it gets lower than 150 it is called Thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is a condition that occurs when the platelet count in a person’s blood is too low.

The normal platelet count in adults is 150,000–450,000Trusted Source platelets per microliter (µl) of blood.

A person with thrombocytopenia will have a platelet count below 150,000/µl.

Thrombocytopenia may make it difficult for the body to stop bleeding following an injury. Bleeding can occur inside the body, beneath the skin, or at the surface of the skin.

People with thrombocytopenia usually do not experience serious bleeding until their platelet count is very low.

Hope this helps

[Greengal314 in reply to BigJimmy45]

Thanks BigJimmy,

Yes, I understand the low platelet thing. It seems like a riddle though. You need to take the beta blocker to lower the portal hypertension which reduces platelet count, but the beta blocker reduces platelets ?

It reduces platelet aggregation., which means sticking to one another? I am guessing that would correlate to the count as well?

If the presence of hypertension is determined by the platelet count, and the beta blocker is decreasing the count then wouldn’t it falsely show increased portal hypertension?

I’m asking. I don’t know.

Any info is much appreciated.

Thanks !

[BigJimmy45 in reply to Greengal314]

HI Greengal, I am not too sure either. I have finally got a face to face appointment with my consultant on 19th May so I will be sure to ask him about this along with many other questions I have. I will try and remember to let you know what he says about it 😁Keep smiling!

Jim

[Greengal314 in reply to BigJimmy45]

hey BigJimmy. Please do! And let me know. 😆

I guess if this is the biggest thing there is to worry about right now it’s not too bad. 🤷‍♀️ 😁

Thank you.

[Greengal314]

I guess my question is does there exist a point in which the beta blockers might be more negative than positive…If there is continued improvement ?

How is this, or can it be determined ?

[Livmar]

Hi Greengal314, I have cirrhosis, enlarged spleen(15.4 cm) and severe portal hypertension with grade IV varices. I was diagnosed with cirrhosis January 2021. I am compensated. I am on carvedilol since January 2021. My platelets may have dropped just a few while on the medication but not significantly. I am in the mid to high 40's and occasionally just over 50. My white or red blood cell count also has not significantly been reduced while on the medication. They have been like this for the last 3 years. I feel that taking carvedilol far outweighs any minor significant raise in platelets. If you need to have your platelets raised for a procedure they can easily do that with medicine or a platelet transfusion if need be. I for one will continue to take my carvedilol religiously as I know how dangerous a variceal bleed can be. Getting a yearly EGD determines the severity of your varices and whether you are in danger of an imminent bleed. Just my 2 cents.

[Greengal314 in reply to Livmar]

Hi Livmar,

Thanks so much! It’s good to hear that things can hold steady while on the medication. That’s fantastic !

It might be due to just going on it until my body adjusts for me.

My doctor told me not to worry, but I am so close to the normal range I was disappointed in seeing it drop. My wbc has always been normal, and it dipped a lot in one month (it became like 0.03 lower than the normal range) at the same time I went on the Carvedillol as well. I read beta blockers can decrease wbc. I guess that is what prompted me to look into this.

The safe and logical thing would be to continue on until it’s retested. I certainly don’t want to risk anything to get worse.

Have a great day and thanks again!!!

[deanw41]

Exactly the same situation and I only think it’s the Carvidilol! It’s a side affect. In fact I’m going to stop taking it a week before my next blood test, see if that makes a difference!

[deanw41]

Platelets are around 130k

[Scrags64]

I'm on carvedilol and my platelet count is usually around 75. I have to have monthly blood tests to keep an eye on it. I had severe portal hypertension, large clots in 2 main veins and have had 22 endoscopies to band variciles and bleeding in my stomach. I will keep taking them though as dont want to end up in hospital again as variciles burst 4 years ago and I was in hospital for 10 weeks until they got me stabilized.

[Greengal314 in reply to Scrags64]

yes, oh wow. Glad it’s all stabilized now.

Thanks for the input.