new to elevated platelets

[amandaja88]

Hello everyone. I hope this post finds you well. I am 30 years old and due to insurance issues I did not go to the doctor for a few years. I recently went 6 months ago and on one of my blood tests my platelets were 430 and then 6 months later my platelets were 544. The last blood test was approximately a month ago. My doctor re-ordered another CBC and I am awaiting the results. Should I be concerned about the blood count or should I just worry if it elevates to above 1000. Thank you for any response and help in advance. Have a great day!

[MJL1977]

My doctor sent me to a Hematologists when my platelets went from 420 to 500. The Hematologists ran tests for the JAK2 and CALR mutations. He identified the CALR flavor of ET. About 1 year later my level hit 1,000 and my blood showed traits of Von Willebrand. I started Hydroxyurea this week.

I suggest you get the JAK2 and CALR tests done ASAP. I wouldn’t wait.

[amandaja88 in reply to MJL1977]

Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry everything happened so quickly after that for you. I will make an appointment to speak with the doctor tomorrow.

[socrates_8]

Hey Amanda...

Well, before you become to overly concerned, just tug back on those reins a tad, because... there is another possibility, and that might be that you have an infection of some description that might also be elevating your platelets?

Usually, a good Haematologist will first rule that out before worrying too much about a possible causal 'Driver' mutation like previously mentioned:

* JAK2

* CALR

* MPL

or even a 'Triple negative or Unclassifiable'

At the moment, your platelets don't seem to be too high, and really just above the normal range of: 150, - 450,

Anyways, best wishes with your results, but see a Haematologist rather than just your GP if things do continue this way.

Steve

(Sydney)

[amandaja88 in reply to socrates_8]

Thank you. I'll see if my doctor can order those tests or what he suggests.

[Ebot]

What matters is the trend. Are your platelets trending upwards? Or is this a one off spike? So your doctor is right to keep repeating the blood tests. If your platelets continue to trend upwards then you most definitely don’t want to wait until they reach 1000 to do anything about it. And a good doctor would in any event (gently!) insist on further investigation. I had much the same experience and kept saying that my elevated platelets must be down to an infection or something. But after increasingly elevated counts over about three blood tests my doctor was pretty insistent this was investigated. And even if ET is confirmed it doesn’t mean that you’ll need any further intervention beyond perhaps daily aspirin.

[Hidden in reply to Ebot]

If there is an infection, then a full blood count should be showing increased white cells.

[Ebot in reply to Hidden]

That’s true but platelets can be elevated temporarily for a number of reasons unrelated to ET. And one off counts can be misleading or unhelpful. I quite understand that if you are symptomless and otherwise young and healthy with relatively low elevations you might be reluctant to jump onto the MPN investigation bandwagon. Equally I wouldn’t want to avoid investigations to the point where I’d risk damaging my health. That’s why the trend matters as does a doctor’s advice.

[Hidden in reply to Ebot]

Indeed but other postings implied that the platelets could be raised as a sign of infection. I was only pointing out that while that could happen, you would also expect to see raised white cells fighting an infection. Platelets always above normal for one or two tests, whether rising or statically high, should trigger an haematology referral - to an MPN specialist if possible.

[Ebot in reply to Hidden]

Yes, you’re right.

[amandaja88 in reply to Hidden]

My wbc is in the normal range.

[Hidden in reply to amandaja88]

It is unlikely that you have secondary thrombocytosis as a result of infection. This increases the likelihood that it is primary thrombocytosis (essential thrombocythaemia). If your platelets continue to be elevated, you should be seen by an haematologist/oncologist who specialises in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

[amandaja88 in reply to Hidden]

I'll have to see which Hematologist specializes in that who is covered under my insurance. Thank you so very much for your reply and information.

[amandaja88 in reply to Hidden]

This is all so new to me so thank you so much for all the great information!

[Anag in reply to Hidden]

My doctor a good friend and Uni prof. didn’t send me to a hematologist even at 750! A year later I was in the hospital with a TIA and was diagnosed. She always said she thought it was an infection and apologized many times over. It’s not good to go to friends. They see more than or less than what you have. They have difficulties staying objective.

[amandaja88 in reply to Ebot]

Thank you for the reply. Hopefully I will just need baby aspirin

[Wyebird]

Hi welcome, I would insist on a heamotologist appointment ASAP.

Platelets rose for a reason. Good luck

[amandaja88 in reply to Wyebird]

If this platelet count is higher I'll definitely be making an appointment

[Wyebird in reply to amandaja88]

Good

[amandaja88]

I also hope it is not TMI, but for a few months I have had slight blood with bowel movements.

[Anag]

I had my first little TIA (light stroke) at about 550. I hadn’t been diagnosed yet. Everyone is different. I was also 18 older than you. I am a jumper. My thrombosites go up and down despite meds. My doctor and I try to keep me at 500, give or take 150. I started therapy with Anagrelid at 909, 18 months ago. A week before that, when I was finally diagnosed, they were 823. I do believe that stress plays a role.

Stress=Lots of Cortisol=Inflammation=Illness.

When you have a serious illness, it’s important to have a good and also affordable doctor. Regular check ups are necessary. Some people need them 2x a year, some like me, almost every month. You have to get to know you body really well. Some doctors visits with close data taking will be necessary. You will be able to plan better and will feel more at ease! Hope to have helped. Cheers!

[Doggy1903]

You need monitoring but I started out last year with raised platelets, and now have medication. hydroxycarbamide. The team are fantastic and if you have to attend haematology, feel confident to say, you will be very well cared for.

[cmc_ufl]

Just seeing how things turned out for you. Did you ever find out why your platelets were elevated?