Concerned about elevated platelets.

[Marti1981]

Should I press my doctor to investigate my elevated platelets?

For at least a year I’ve had elevated platelets. They were however only slightly raised. The last 6 months or so they have steadily risen 420s 450s the last was 525.

I am currently taking 325mg Aspirin and 75mg of Plavix daily, shouldn’t this cause my platelets to be at the very least normal? Not consistently raised.

Google has me concerned. So I guess I digress to my original question.. should I push for further investigation?

Thank you so much for reading this and any advice you may have.

[mhos61]

Definitely see your Dr for advise.

Are you self medicating? It's quite concerning that you’re taking 325mg aspirin daily. This is not the recommended dose for treating MPN, and you haven’t even been diagnosed yet.

We, who have an MPN diagnosis are advised to take only 75mg aspirin daily. You’re also combining this with Plavix, another blood thinner! Blood thinners will do nothing to normalise your platelet count, they just make your platelets less sticky.

You need to discuss any concerns you have about your elevated platelets with your Dr, but more importantly for now, if you’re self medicating discuss this ASAP with your Dr.

[Marti1981 in reply to mhos61]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I’m not self medicating I have heart disease and have had stents placed. I definitely understand your concerns about self medicating though.

The medications I’m on are part of what puzzled me about the high platelets.

[mhos61 in reply to Marti1981]

Good to know that the medication is prescribed. However, your heart disease is even more reason to push your Dr for further investigation. You shouldn’t feel that you’re ‘bothering’ your Dr, you have every reason to seek a consultation, particularly because of your medical history.

I have ET, my platelets were only 500 at diagnosis. It was picked up on a random blood test, and I’m so glad for that.

Keep us updated

Mary

[AndyT]

Definitely worth getting it investigated if you’re concerned but 450 is just around the upper end of normal so your counts aren’t massive.

See a haematologist who knows about MPNs and they should do tests to eliminate other causes and see if you have a genetic mutation that would indicate ET.

[Marti1981 in reply to AndyT]

Thank you. I didn’t want to “bother”my doctor or seem like a hypochondriac if it’s nothing to worry about.

[AndyT in reply to Marti1981]

Definitely worth getting it checked in view of your heart problems. Hopefully the raised count is just a blip due to a minor infection or a cold etc, so check again in a couple of weeks and see if it’s gone back down.

My platelets were only 604 when originally spotted but needed further investigation when they went up not down over the next few weeks...

[Ebot]

Absolutely get it checked out especially as you have an underlying heart condition. It would be important to know if there is any relationship between the two and also what impact the considerable dosage of blood thinners you are taking might be having on any potential dodgy blood cell production. Let us know how you get on.

[Marti1981 in reply to Ebot]

Thank you very much for your response. I will definitely keep you guys posted as to what I discover.

[Threelions]

I definitely think it’s worth pressing for a referral to your local Haematologist. They discovered my ET (jak 2 +) with a simple blood test.

The reason I would press is that you are considered “high risk” with your existing medical issues and if it did turn out to be an MPN this can be managed for you👍

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Marti1981 in reply to Threelions]

Thank you very much. I will keep you posted.

[Doggy1903]

hello yes I would also recommend asking for a referral. YOur platelets are gently rising which is a concern for you. Haematology are brilliant, and once you have a referral a specialist will look after you until they can pinpoint a diagnosis.

Hope this is helpful.

[Marti1981]

It was helpful. Thank you so much for your response. If nothing else it’s nice to know I’m not wrong for wanting some answers and explanations as to what’s going on.

[hunter5582]

you already heard lots of yeses to following up on the low grade thrombocytosis. Could be primary (Essential) or secondary. You do want to know what is going on, particularly with a hx of heart disease. Be sure to find a hematologist with expertise in MPNs. Not all docs have the experience and knowledge to effectively treat MPNs, even hematologists. Here is a list of patient-recommended cos with MPN expertise mpnforum.com/list-hem/ .

[Marti1981 in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you very much for the list and your response.

[BloodZero]

Should you get it checked out? Sure, why not. Just ask for a referral.

Why are you worried about bothering the doctor, he gets paid right? He's not volunteering to see you. The GP is working for you. Ask for whatever you want.

Should you worry? Probably not. I live with a platelet count of between 1200-1500 for 10 years before i decided to take medication for it.

Unless you consider yourself unhealthy, then you may want to be careful about having thick blood. But the Aspirin should lower that risk.