Low Platelets but no Symptoms? - ITP Support Assoc...

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Low Platelets but no Symptoms?

Egghen profile image
16 Replies

Low Platelets but no symptoms?

My first test for platelets was 139, then 142, then 125 and now 124. I have no symptoms. The GP has written me out a record of my results to hand to my dentist but says there's no need to inform my holiday insurer as it's just one* test result and not officially a pre-medical condition. I'd call it several* results, but then GPs are perhaps too overworked for great accuracy. Another test in two months. It could go on for ever.

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Egghen profile image
Egghen
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16 Replies
Ltinny profile image
Ltinny

I didn't have any symptoms either, except some bruises here and there when my platelets were in the 80s. They went as low as 37 and I had a tooth extracted, everything was fine. Some people have symptoms, others don't. Unless you start having nosebleeds, or blood in the stool or urine, or any other bleeding that is abnormal I wouldn't worry too much. Take care and hope your next reading is good!

scaryteacher profile image
scaryteacher

My count bumps along at between 19 and 38, and I have few symptoms. I get petechiae on my feet when my count is low, and more tired than normal, and I bruise more easily if I bump into things, but nothing apart from that.

As for going on forever, yes, but there are worse things to have. I've had it for 22.5 years now, and no meds apart from when I had my wisdom teeth removed a year after diagnosis.

ShirleyJK profile image
ShirleyJK in reply to scaryteacher

This is encouraging!

ghostthemovie profile image
ghostthemovie in reply to scaryteacher

my counts are extremely low low in the 3’s and sometimes 1’s . I do need dental work & my thought would be in the hospital but what meds were you put on when you had your wisdom teeth removed?

Judethegardener profile image
Judethegardener

This is a good set of results. And good results. If you have no symptoms and if its definitely ITP you don't need to keep having bloodtests. After nearly 50 years of this disease I rarely have tests, well, only before dental extractions. My count has never been as high as 100. average 40/50 ish. Platelets go up and down all the time in everybody , also testing is variable. Don't worry.

The hardest aspect is the mental one of accepting that you have this autoimmune disease and if you are physically careful you will be okay. Keep yourself fit and healthy and live your life. Good Luck!

ghostthemovie profile image
ghostthemovie in reply to Judethegardener

50 years? I admire your courage. It’s been about 25 years for me & I get so frustrated with the doctors because I tryed almost everything & nothing. And the “raw foods protocol” & “herbalist” “homeopathic” are extremely expensive. I need dental work done immediately I’m in excruciating pain tooth needs to be removed and no dentist will touch me. They prescribe antibiotics & pain med. Have you ever needed dental wrk & if so what meds were you on to increase platelets?

swheels profile image
swheels in reply to Judethegardener

Ah snap, I’m 52 and also lived for 50 years with ITP. I had a splenectomy at about 3yrs old. It stabilised and thought I was free after the age of 15 as I was discharged from hospital. Didn’t see any sign of it till my mid 20’s. Had a relapse, went through the motions of meds again (steroids, yuk) tried others but didn’t work as well. Again we got stability got off the steroids and trundled along at around 20-40. With the odd rogue virus making me have a short stint on the dreaded steroids again. Then Covid, 🙄 messed my ITP about all over the place. The steroids didn’t work this time, bummer but on a good note I’m on Romiplostin now, less side effects and far more effective. After a year of various doses, my platelets are stabilising again. I’m hoping in a few months I may get off meds. I’m alive, I’m able to live a virtually normal life I’ve been lucky. I agree with you, as long as you take care of yourself and keep your eye out for the symptoms or if you know in yourself something isn’t right then see your doctor. Them results are good my consultant would be really pleased with that run of numbers. On Romiplostin I’m between 50 and the odd high of 200, hovering around 100 . I’m happy with that.

Topography52_- profile image
Topography52_-

It will :( I am still under my hematologist 18 months in my hover between 21/ 50 no meds my symptoms fatigue and petechia small round red pinpricks otherwise all good its a learning curve.

SandyS67 profile image
SandyS67

ITP does go on forever

And with your results being over 100 count that’s actually awesome

I haven’t had a platelet count over 100 since 2012 when I was on steroids

My counts are always between 40 and 90 since 2014 after my splenectomy and a bunch of rotuximab

Purduerose profile image
Purduerose

I don't get symptoms until my platelets go under 20 (and usually way lower). I don't think it is unusual.

Pzena profile image
Pzena

As so many have said. Don't get overly concerned with numbers. Unless you get down to under 20K, or have "wet" bleeds, nose bleeds etc. I would be careful about starting treatments. After being diagnosed for 8 yrs. and treated on and off with steroids, I did not let them treat until it was under 20k. When I started to get to 3K and steroids were not holding me above 20k. I did rituxian injects 4. I have been fortunate and have been up in the 190's since then. It will be 2 yrs in July.

Not sure about the white cells. Have you google what causes low white cells? No harm in seeing a specialist. Good Luck. Worry is the worse!

bubblesone profile image
bubblesone

Fatigue, is now accepted, as one of the side effects of having ITP. I have had ITP for 34 years now,

being diagnosed when I was pregnant. I do suffer with extreme fatigue, some nose bleeds, and bruise very easy. I do really have to pace myself and at 62, will now have to work to 66. I do think it is about time that this illness , is treated as a disability, for chronic ITP ,if your platelet count is below 20. Mine sit at between 3 to 7 , and this does have an impact on my life and work. Does anybody else fill the same?

ShirleyJK profile image
ShirleyJK in reply to bubblesone

I have never had a nosebleed in my life which I guess I should consider myself so lucky . Oh my - for 34 years! I heard pregnancy is a possible cause. It is a disability in my opinion also. I did not realize it affected so many people and this site has given me some hope that I don't have something terribly life threatening, like a blood cancer but even without seeing the bone biopsy they are saying no. Good luck to you and you sound like a very strong woman . They got mine up to 60,000 from 4,000 in 2 1/2 days but time will tell if they will get higher>

Metalgod profile image
Metalgod

I only had itp about 4 yrs but am also on a rivoxaban blood thinner because of a narrowing of a vein in my leg but my specialist is happy when platelets are 50 or above am on eltrompag one 50 mg a day and if go below 50 they stop blood thinner and if have to increase eltromopag I did have a mild strain of covid no taste or smell but it did make my platelets go up n down lowest 10 highest at last test 116 but everybody case is different but your readings sound good 👍

Truthena profile image
Truthena

only symtom husband has on ocassions is fatigue and weakness in legs. his count is 109

Dawnwarry profile image
Dawnwarry

Hi I’ve ITP since 1998 and the first count was 19. Over the years it has fluctuated from low 40’s to 125. I have not had any regular treatment with steroids only being given on the two occasions when I’ve had major surgery. I had one operation without steroids when it was 70 and didn’t have any problems.

I am very aware of the symptoms and I believe fatigue to be one of my indicators but as long as I’m not bleeding or bruising badly I take it in my stride.

Hope your count stays in the 100’s which seems a good count from where I’m sitting. Don’t let it worry you just make yourself aware of what to expect.

Good luck

Dawn

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