Platelets 500

[johoho]

Hi all, just had my bloods back and my hct is 48.9 so am having a venesection but also, my platelets are at 500. Ive had no recent infections that im aware of. Is this really high do you think? Any ideas what else it could be?

[fannetastic]

I have been told today also hct has been rising so they want me back in 6 weeks and I have to drink plenty fluids the day before and on the day so they can get a proper reading. If still high then venesection for me, so maybe rehydration is the key . Hope you get on okay with the platelet thing also. x

Anne

[johoho in reply to fannetastic]

Thanks Anne, did they say you were dehydrated then?

[fannetastic in reply to johoho]

No, but I got the feeling it may be a factor in a high hct as he told me to drink plenty. That may or may not be the answer but time will tell. I have had loads of infections in the past 18 month including Pneumonia but am well as can be at the moment so did not see this coming.

[jane13]

hi,

off hand i think the normal platelet range is 150-350 but u can check that on the web. As i understand it 1000/1500 is getting into the red zone so 500 isn't that bad. Not sure why u mention infection? so far as i know infection tends to drive up white cells, rather than platelets. Not sure if u have had a diagnosis of ET/PV etc? for many of us the condition produces too many reds, whites and platelets, (or a combination of the above) as standard!

Jane

[johoho in reply to jane13]

Hi Jane, thanks for your comments. it was my nurse that mentioned infection. I have PV.

[jane13 in reply to johoho]

My PV produces too many reds, whites and platelets: could just be yours is doing the same?

[johoho in reply to jane13]

Who knows? its a bit of a mystery. Fingers crossed the venesection will sort it out today. Thanks again for your comments. Jo

[MistyBlue2]

Hi. I was in much the same boat last time I went, too. My HCT was 46, so sent for a venesection - but my doc said if my platelet continued to rise for no reason we'd have to have the 'HU chat'.

Freaked me out a bit, but I thought they didn't consider that until platelets rose to over 1000, and mine are just at 564?

[johoho in reply to MistyBlue2]

The 'HU' chat? Im not surprised you were alarmed! That seems a little ott for 564! Would you ask for a second opinion?

[rubyrubyruby]

They also take into account other risk factors too, not just platelet levels. I now have PV, initially diagnosed with ET, with platelet levels hovering around 850 and Hct at .46. However, due to my age, 41, I am not considered high risk so I can delay, which I want to do for as long as possible, having to take any meds other than aspirin.

I do think hydration is really key to our conditions. I felt awful a couple of days ago, energy sucked out of me and headachy, and realised I just hadn't drunk enough water the day before. I need to consume around 2 litres of water a day to feel ok I have found.

[johoho in reply to rubyrubyruby]

Hi Ruby, thanks for your reply. Im 42 so i hope that means im low risk too. Thats a good handful of us (females) with PV in our early- mid 40's on here now. Lets hope we're not starting a trend!

[rubyrubyruby]

I think we are a 'special' group !

[johoho in reply to rubyrubyruby]

Thats one way of putting it!

[ainslie]

Johoho and Ruby

you should keep your Hct below 45 if male and below 43 if female, it has been shown that above that the thrombotic risk exponentially increased. Normal Hydration is important, if you are underhydrated most of your counts will be higher and vice versa. However if you over hydrate before a vensiection then they are venisecting some water, so just normal hydration, similarly with a blood test make sure you have normal hydration for at least a couple of days before but again if you over hydrate then you Hct and other counts will be show lower than in reality so not useful. Platelets around 530 is quite good, although some people can be symptomatic above 300, most of the MPN experts would not suggest HU for platelets alone unless they were over 1m, so don't be bullied in to it.

[johoho]

Thanks ainslie, its interesting you say below 43, my hospital in Leeds will only venesect when im over 45. (Im female) just wondering where you are? I definately feel better when im around the 42 mark!

[ainslie in reply to johoho]

Hi Johoho

I am in Scotland, it should be 45 for male and 43 for female, if in doubt check with Guys and St Thomas or check this website, I follow what all the experts say in the US and Europe and its 45 and 43. I am male and I feel better at 43 now although I did not use to. So my haem allows me a venisections even if I am 44, go with what you feel best on and a good haem should respect and accept that.

[johoho in reply to ainslie]

Thanks ainslie, maybe i need to get brave with my haem! I will be talking to them about not letting it get to 48.9 again.

[Marketa]

i have had 800-1000 platelets for the last 6 years, so i think 500 is ok. if it is more than usual it can be caused by stress, lack of water and many other reasons.