Dear all,
Since I was given melatonin not for sleep, but to detox, I’ve been much better. I looked up effect of melatonin on platelets and I was shocked to find that melatonin caused platelet apoptosis (death). There are studies proving this.
Here is info:
sciencedirect.com/science/a...
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/7...
Please gives me thoughts about this. unfortunately my haemo is out for the next month!
Cheers,
Anag
You may need to read these articles again. Although apoptosis in itself is good, this needs to be at therapeutic level, not just supplemental. Melatonin causes more assault in other areas of the body in particularly areas that are already elevated in MPN's. It may have 1 benefit but causes a lot of havoc elsewhere. Here is quite from first link:
"Besides, platelets undergoing apoptosis release microparticles, which fuel thrombus formation and play a significant role in the pathophysiology of a number of diseases. In many parts of the world melatonin is an over-the-counter dietary supplement and alternative medicine. Since, melatonin displays platelet proapoptotic effect at a concentration attainable through therapeutic dosage, the present study sends a warning signal to the chronic use of melatonin as a therapeutic drug and questions its availability without a medical prescription."
Hi Fee,
Thanks for answering. I would love to know what these by products after the apoptosis are called.
I was put on 10mg in cream form that is taken up slowly during the night, when our brain detoxes and shrinks to 60% of its day size. My orthomolecular doctor said I should also take 5mg orally, which I didn’t do, since I am very sensitive and react stronger to meds and supplement that any other person I know. Goal was to detox brain, since my memory and cognitive speed was frightening. I was confused and had trouble even finding everyday words at times. The neurologist wanted to put me on anti depressants!!! How idiotic. Anti depressants for everything! Well, within a week I was better and in 3 weeks better than my old self. My energy levels were back as well, also due to the fact that I was also prescribed DHEA to up my adrenals, which have been exhausted for many years.
The scary part, I then noticed my platelets were 40% up (not down as this article says). What Exactly caused that is still a puzzle. After a month I stopped the melatonin for a month and then did 2 weeks again. Well, my platelets went up again! I still felt great. Then I read that melatonin is a strong antioxidant and theorized that it was probably wiping out the last capsule of Anagrelide, that I was taking at bedtime. My doctor said that, the snti oxidant effect alone would not cause such a jump.
I do believe the M served its purpose and now I’ve dropped it. I am aware that M is sold over the counter in most countries and its use is being abused. Now, I only use a tad if I wake up during the night and can’t get back to sleep.
This shows that we have to really cross examine every supplement We take and foods that contains high levels of certain nutrients for their effect on MPNs.
🙂
Anag
So good to hear something has worked. Thrilled for you. Would love to know what Maz’s contacts view is
I don't think you got an answer to your question about the byproducts of platelet apoptosis.
Originally called "platelet dust" these particles are now called "platelet-derived microvesicles" or PMV. They seem to retain some of the biological activity of platelets themselves and, depending on the circumstances they may have beneficial or detrimental effects.
Its still an area of ongoing research so its hard to draw firm conclusions. If they promote clotting they are probably a bad thing for people already at increased risk of thrombosis.
Here is link to a recent review that you might find interesting.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Its not an easy read but might help fill an hour or two.
With regard to an increase in platelet count after taking melatonin it may be that the analysis counted some platelet fragments as whole platelets. I suspect different methods of analysis will be more or less sensitive to this phenomenon.
Hi Applesnpears.
That is really good information. You may have a point there regarding the sensitivity of the blood test method.
I have a complete haematological blood test, which breaks down everything down to the slightest particles, 3x annually. The two tests that I had were done simply over a finger prick with results in 5“ just to get the simple values. I will definitely speak to my haemo when I see her in May. Until then, I will have a finger prick blood test this week just to keep a tab on my thrombos. I’m a thrombos jumper (rates go up and down) and have to sometimes adjust my Anagrelid.
All the best.
Anag
The more I read about platelets the more I realise that we don't really understand how they function and perform. Even getting a reliable count seems to be a challenge.
That said I suppose platelet-derived microvesicles is better than platelet dust.
Stay safe.
Applesnpears
That’s exactly what my haemo says. I still think that the care I’m giving my body:
fixing leaky gut,
no GMOs/ chemical additives
getting rid of all autoimmune problems, amalgams now gone!,
working on balancing minerals/vitamins, chemical free life (home and body)
have energy to exercise again,
balancing gut bacteria,
keeping bile flowing (even w/o bladder),
detoxing,
parasite management (that’s the toughest)...
Clearing Trauma
Basically, undoing what’s been done to my body and soul over 54 years,
I believe my body might be able to get leverage against this mutation in a few years. Who knows? I just know that I feel better now than 15 years ago and I don’t need any more meds except Anagrelide and aspirin.
Let’s see.
Anag
Anag, just the fact that you’re feeling better is a good sign in my book!
Very interesting. Thanks for link. I’ve sent it to an Integrated practitioner who specialises in cancer for his thoughts. Will let you know his reply. ( but he is busy so may be a while)
Glad it’s helping but I agree need to be careful . X
Hey Anag... 
Glad to find you looking for more answers as always... 
However, I am a tad concerned about some of the possible side-effects that might be produced by taking "Melatonin".
Found this link that might interest you too...
nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin
My concern would be anything that has a potential to make me more 'Fatigued' is a 'no-go-zone' as I am usually really struggling with my anaemia and energy levels as it is...
However, it might work for some others... I would definitely be running by my medical team first, and especially so if anyone considering taking 'melatonin' is taking any 'Blood Thinners' as apparently 'melatonin' might produce an adverse effect/s
Best wishes
Steve
Hi Steve,
I know what you mean by caution by fatigue. Thanks for the link!
melatonin can be a great supplement for brain detox, etc. My brother’s adopted son is autistic and like most people on the spectrum, they’re not producing sufficient or any melatonin and need supplements.
My orthomolecular doctor prescribed 10mg melatonin creme to be press on my forearms. That slows the uptake. I only take 50mg aspirin, but 180mg ginkgo daily.
My hemo doesnt think that melatonin should be a problem. Through the little reading I did, I’m not so sure. Most conventional just don’t know about supplements. I’ve been often gawked at or was just dismissed as soon as I asked. I was at the orthopaedic yesterday and he was the worst of all. A total loser. I have arthritis in both hips! I had a knee operation 10 years ago and no one told me my right leg was now 1 Cm shorter than the other. That caused accelerated wear and tear on Both my hips! Now the doctor says there’s nothing that can be done to help. Ev. just a new hip(s)! I wanted to punch him. I know for a fact there are therapies, supplements, hyaluron injections, etc. to slow down the progression. He just wanted to give me NSAIDs. That is masking symptoms until it would be time for replacement. I told him I don’t want to load my body with chemical, since I’m on chemo and he didn’t even ask for what or what kind of chemo. My loss of trust in doctors continues to grow.
(Just had to let that out!)
I have written more about my melatonin experience above.
The take away message is melatonin is not the solution to high platelets. The paper says that it can increase the risk of blood clots and strokes. This is precisely the opposite of what those with high platelets need.
The paper also illustrates why it is essential that you speak to your haematologist BEFORE taking any supplements.
Its hard enough to find a haematologist that understands the complexities of and nuances of MPNs, practitioners of alternative medicine don't have the specialist knowledge and can make things worse, not better.
You’re right on all points. I’ve answered the others above. Funny thing is, I felt stronger and clearer in mind, but my thrombos went up by 300 in that time?!? Odd is all I can say. After the second round of melatonin, they went up by 200. There’s definitely something else going on here that is not mentioned on these websites.
Thanks for writing.
Anag
Interesting. I recall hearing in the past that Melatonin actually increased your platelet level.
Aha! That’s what happened to me. See above.
Really?? Fascinating! But do you only take it before bed? Otherwise I guess you’d be sleepy?
My daughter (age 22), after years of taking melatonin, stopped taking it completely when she was diagnosed with ET. I don't know what she found in her research, only that she needed to stop taking it. I wouldn't start it before you discuss it with your Dr. Please let us know what your Dr says about it.
The doctor had nothing against it. Please see explanations above.
My brother gives his autistic son melatonin from the age of 3 till now 18. He doesn’t produce It otherwise. It was the only way his son and the parents could finally sleep. as far as I know, once you’ve used it for a long time, you body may stop producing its own. there are also natural and synthetic forms. I’m sure the synthetic forms can cause more problems. None of the articles above mention which one was used in the testing. That’s too bad, since the form does always play a role.
Thank you for posting. 🙂
Anag
You cannot buy it over the counter in the UK but my friend gets it on prescription from her GP. Mine won't prescribe it. I buy it from the USA. My dose is very low. It has lost its effectiveness as a sleep aid for chronic insomnia so having read this I might discontinue it. There is so much confusion out there.
Here in Austria, there must be a prescription. €30 for 30 tablets of 1 mg!! I pay €15 for 100 tablets in Greece. Crazy. I’ve used it for insomnia, but only 1 mg. That’s enough to get me to fall asleep in 10”. My doctor gave me 10mg in order to detox my brain. It works. Thrombos went up. (?) Haemo not sure why.
Thanks for writing SweetLucy.
Anag
My haemo knows I take it but didn't say it was dangerous. There is little point in mentioning supplements to any doctor because they know nothing about them.
Yes. Most doctors have no idea. What a shame that they graduate ignorante to nutrition and then don’t bother to learn along the way.
I think there must be an amount that we can take if we need it that doesn’t cause any problems with our MPNs. I wish I knew what it was. 1 mg was always enough for me to sleep and I’ve taken that often. If I remember correctly. Our body produces about 3mg during the night at any one time.
Thanks for writing.
Anag
Just to say that with U.K. hospitals you will get good sense from your hospital pharmacy who are experienced in checking out supplements as well as all the regular drugs and all their interactions
That is amazing. We don’t have that in Austria. If we are lucky and search enough, we find some few doctors and nutritionists, who really know their way around with vitamins, minerals, etc. And are up to date with the latest research. There is the difficulty, that our illness is quite rare and we do need people who will research and make a protocol for us. On top of that, we need to get tested so that our nutrients, enzymes etc are balanced.
Thank you. I never thought of that.
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