Low platelets

[Shelterdog]

I have Nash with F4 fibrosis and I had my 6 month check up this past week. I’ve lost 42 lbs and am doing everything I’m supposed to be doing as far as diet and exercise are concerned. My current weight is 156 and I am 5’5”. My last bloodwork done thru my GP was in May and it showed my platelet count at 109-down from 243 in March. My liver enzymes were 22 and 25-first time in years that they have been normal. I had another fibroscan and am having bloodwork and an ultrasound this coming week-no results yet on the fibroscan. Has anyone else experienced a drop in platelets ? I’m concerned about this.

[Maxy6]

Lots of things can drop your platelets. Are you on any blood thinners? Fish oil? Vitamin E? ASA? That is a big drop in 2 months, can you have them redrawn? How is your hemoglobulin and hematocrit? How do you feel?

[Shelterdog in reply to Maxy6]

No, I’m on none of those. Don’t know about hemoglobulin or hematocrit. I feel normal. Hopefully my blood tests this coming week will be good. Dr did say he must get to the bottom of it and may have to send me to a blood specialist but I heard all the ones in my area are clowns.

[Maxy6 in reply to Shelterdog]

It is hard to find a good hematologist. Areyou near a teaching hospital?

[Shelterdog in reply to Maxy6]

I’m not sure. There may be one 2 hours from here .

[Maxy6 in reply to Shelterdog]

This is a personal opinion but I think teaching hospitals turn out better hematologists. Or better ones tend to practice in a town with at least 1 teaching hospital. Again, just my experience.

[gramajaci]

I have similar concerns. My platelet count usually hovers between 50 and 55. I see a hematologist quarterly ( at a minimum). And get a transfusion when needed.I bruise very easily and it is unsightly, but that’ about the extent of it. The only time my Dr’s are concerned is if I am having a procedure that risks potential blood loss.

[Shelterdog in reply to gramajaci]

I’m surprised your Dr isn’t getting to the cause of it. Mine wants to know if it’s coming from my liver or what. I’m just praying it will be better this coming week. I’m not bruising and I feel fine.

[MW923 in reply to Shelterdog]

Hi, I have seeing mine drop and go up since find out about NAFLD about a year and a half ago, now it's normal bur I've had it low and liver are normal now ALT is 15 and AST is 21.. my doctor says I've reversed my condition all my labs are perfect now no more high pressure or diabetes, cholesterol is perfect. I do worry about My platelets though. I think they were 190 last test and I've been over 250. Abnormal is under 150 so yes I'm concerned as well and WBC is 36 never been low its still normal but thats low for me. Hmm worried what this means and I'm in medical field. My doctor not concerned but I am..

[Shelterdog in reply to MW923]

That’s great that you have reversed your condition!

[MW923 in reply to Shelterdog]

Thank you, I do get concerned about my platelets they are normal at 195 but that's lowest they have ever been and my WBC at 3.6 should not go under 3.5 mine have never been that low. But the other things great! No more diabetes and no high blood pressure. Liver enzymes are good.

[Livmar]

That is a huge drop in platelets in only two months. I dropped from over 200+ to 49 where I am currently but this happened over several years. I have portal hypertension, enlarged spleen and F4 cirrhosis. I would highly suggest you stay away from hematologist’s and see a good hepatologist. I am where I am now because of inept hematologist’s. I would not let my general doctor control my liver issues. You are doing great with diet and exercise. That will go a long way towards your healing and it’s practically the only thing we have that will help us until someone comes up with a pill for liver issues. Keep up the great work and never give up. Prayers and blessings!

[Shelterdog in reply to Livmar]

Thank you and prayers and blessings to you as well !

[MW923 in reply to Livmar]

Prayers to you , you are so right on everything you said. Bless you. I've improved my health so much and great Labs are great and no more medication for blood pressure or diabetes but I'm concerned with platelets as well they normal but they the dropping as well. My doctor is not concerned but I am. Luckily I'm in medical field so that's helps alot.

[RavensongNH2018]

I have had chronically low platelet counts since I was first diagnosed with NASH almost 12 years ago. They told me it was common with liver disease, but after the third consult I found out that my spleen was grossly enlarged and most likely the root of the problem. I now have cirrhosis of the liver and my liver tests are all over the place. I routinely need transfusions of platelets as well as infusions for severe anemia. My white counts are always extremely low and I catch everything going around. On the liver transplant list, but with such a shortage of donated organs and an increasing demand... Well, you just never know!! Wish you the best of luck now & in the future.

[Shelterdog in reply to RavensongNH2018]

Best of luck to you too!

[sophiaS1980 in reply to Shelterdog]

It is common to have low platelets with cirrhosis, 90% of people have low platelets.

[Lucymyliver22]

My brother's blood was extremely low. He had Cirrohsis and his stomach was bleeding. Look up watermelon belly or GAVE. His disease was much more advanced though.

[Shelterdog in reply to Lucymyliver22]

I will look that up. Thanks. Sorry your brother had that.

[Sheluska]

I as well have low platelets with an enlarged spleen. It can be quite common. Mine are now at 58. No there complications with it .extra pressure and wait longer when having blood taken, or if I cut myself. I stay away from things that may cut me .sharp knives, no more barefeet walking..etc. My best to you

[Shelterdog]

Hey everyone ! While I’ve not yet talked to the Dr, my results were just posted on my portal and my platelets were 265!! Yay! Also my two liver enzymes were 20 and 22. My ultrasound showed my liver to be normal size (was enlarged in Jan). So I’m waiting to find out the results of the fibroscan and will let everyone know.

[Livmar]

Shelterdog, congratulations on your great results. What a great example you are as to how to control your destiny. What in the world did you do to get your platelets up high again? Did they do it on their own through your own diet and exercise?

[Shelterdog in reply to Livmar]

I suppose but don’t know for sure. I’m waiting for the Dr or NP to call me so I can ask that and other questions. I did see on my ultrasound results that all organs were normal in size-liver, spleen, kidneys etc. I continue to follow the book “How to naturally reverse fatty liver” by Jonathan Mizel and Susan Peters. While they advocate a total plant based whole food diet , I do eat some lean meats-chicken and fish. I eat lots of broccoli and it has protein in it. I exercise rigorously with my church group (exercise class) plus I walk my dogs. I have been on the prayer list at my church since the onset of this, so I truly believe that helped as well. I do realize that my condition is worse than just fatty liver but I continue to follow that book. Basically no sugar, low carbs and low fat. I actually lost another pound so I’m at 43 lbs lost. I could stand to lose another 5 or so but I’m not going to beat myself up about it. My husband -that has none of this disease-has lost 63 lbs just doing what I’m doing; he is in a size 34 waist jeans now . He is very tall too so he is skinny . He is now off all 3 blood pressure meds plus is only taking 1/2 of his diabetes pill and most probably will be off that at his next Dr visit. I am still in awe at what weight loss does for your body. It is amazing. I mean, between us we have lost over 100 lbs!! His hobby is restoring old cars and motorcycles and building dune buggies and right now he is restoring a 1970 Corvette Stingray, so maybe we will be able to get in and out of it easily now! LOL!

[Livmar]

Hahaha… I will buy the book you mention. I have others but I love to learn. Congrats to your husband as well. It is amazing the benefits that eating real food has on our bodies and health. I am on Mediterranean diet and have lost 15 pounds since February. You want to lose 1-2 pounds per week. Slow and easy. My wife has lost 20 lbs and she does not have cirrhosis like I have but we are eating the same. Prayer also never hurts and is what guides me as well. Your husband has great taste in cars… nothing like a vette 👍😄. Take care and continue your awesome journey!

[Shelterdog in reply to Livmar]

Congrats on your weight loss as well. Mine is very slow now. I was never much of a fruit eater before but love it now (especially since I can’t have sugary desserts). Best of luck to you on this journey we are on!

[Shelterdog]

Ok everyone; I just received my phone call with fibroscan results and I am beyond excited ! My Cap score was 380 in Jan and is now 202. My Kpa score was 15 in Jan and is now 6.4. I shared my other numbers in an earlier post. She said my fibrosis is now an F0 and it had been F4 in Jan.

My platelets are normal; my Liver enzymes are normal; my liver size is normal. I am beyond excited. My diet is working ; prayers are working

It’s a good day!

[Livmar]

many blessings!!! Hope you keep going like that forever 👍😄. You know what works for you so don’t ever stop.

[Shelterdog in reply to Livmar]

Thank you and many blessings to you as well!!