BMB question - I’m new, so bear with me!

[Teammom4]

Hello - I was just diagnosed about 3 weeks ago. I have been having palpitations/irregular heartbeat and had a work up. Given my family history, I had a stress test w/exercise and that was fine. However, my bloodwork showed a platelet count of 506. This made me investigate my past blood test results and in 2010, my platelets were 349 and in 2015, they were 494. So, somewhere in those 5 years I pushed past the 400 threshold. Kind of a bummer that I never looked at my bloodwork results in 2015, as I trusted I would have been told if anything was abnormal.

I had a complete blood work up at my hematologist a little over 2 weeks ago and got the results yesterday. I do not have any of the mutations and my platelets are at 484 (from what I have been reading, I guess they fluctuate). I really, really, really like my doctor, as he seems pretty knowledgeable and his bedside manner is something I have never experienced, but he feels that it isn’t necessary at this time to do a BMB. I am taking (well going to start taking) 81m of baby aspirin and have follow up bloodwork in 2 months. I am feeling uncomfortable that he doesn’t feel a BMB is necessary. I feel like I don’t really have a diagnosis since I am triple negative. Honestly, had I asked/insisted I think he would do one, but would my treatment be any different at this point given my bloodwork results?

I hope it’s okay that I am posting a pic of my results. I couldn’t get all of the results in my pic...platelets are 484 as of 2 weeks ago.

[Kelly2]

Hi, your platelets are not high but something is going on. Having a BMB is the best way to have a diagnosis at an early stage and put your mind at ease.

[Kelly2 in reply to Kelly2]

Lack of magnesium also causes palpitations.

[francesb]

Hi, my specialist would not do a BMB until platelets were 1.000. Yours are only just on the high side. However, if you want a BMB for peace of mind it's worth pushing for one. Good luck. F.

[Tico]

Hi Teammom,your platelets are not abnormally high and they regually fluctuate slightly between bloodwork being done. Looking at your other results they all appear to be in range and most importantly your doctor is certainly not worried by your results and as you say you are having a follow up in 2 months. You should talk to your heamo if you have any concerns. Atb,tina.🤗

[Wyebird]

Hi, you don’t state your age, and not being medically trained I can only tell you about me. When my platelets were over 500 I was very unwell but told nothing to worry about. Just an infection!!!!

We are all different and react differently. Some people carry on with life with extremely high platelet levels. You can have an mpn without the location of a mutated gene and apparently a bmb would confirm this. Is your doctor an mpn specialist? Knowing what I know now would lead me to asking a second opinion with an mpn specialist. Although your platelets are not high with medication ( age being a factor) you could feel lots stronger.

Good luck

[Bluetop]

I was diagnosed with PV about 3 years ago but have never had a BMB. High platelets (1200), high red cells (5.8) and high haematocrit (.5) plus JAK 2 were considered sufficient diagnosis. I was told it would not change the treatment and my blood has been managed well with hydroxycarbomide. I am lucky enough never to have really experienced any symptoms

[Teammom4]

I probably should have given my age...47. I have found someone here in Pittsburgh, PA that is very active in MPN advocacy/awareness. She has recommended a local MPN specialist. I am calling on Monday.

Thank you for replying!