Elevated platelets - so worried

[Bluedog16]

Hi, about a month and a half ago I had a routine blood test and my platelets were slightly elevated at 457 but the doctor didn’t seem concerned since I also have mild anemia. I’ve had low iron for a few years now but never elevated platelets. I’m really concerned and have high anxiety with all health related issues. I’m also feeling dizzy all day but no other symptoms. Any recommendations?? 50 yr old female.

[Dovme]

Hi l would ask your doctor to run the test again. A month has passed. My doctor did that initially and also checked back on my previous blood counts. When he saw a pattern he referred me to a specialist

It’s best to speak to your doctor or get a second opinion.

Dizziness or lightheadedness is something l suffered from especially as you say you suffer from anxiety. l have managed mine with breathing excercises.

[Bluedog16 in reply to Dovme]

Thanks for the reply. I’ve had the anemia for a few years now but the platelets have never been elevated until now which is why it concerns me that the 2 may not be related even though he believes they are. I will go back soon for a retest. Was your dizziness related to this?

[Dovme in reply to Bluedog16]

My dizziness was related to anxiety. The more l worried the worse it got. But you need a medical assessment. We are not doctors and cannot give you a diagnosis You should go back to your doctor or see a different doctor if your not happy

[flfair]

Hi, have a look at B12 deficiency.

vitaminb12first.co.uk/vitam...

[Bluedog16 in reply to flfair]

Can B12 deficiency cause elevated platelets??

[wotan10 in reply to Bluedog16]

Greetings from Fleetwood England. Anxiety can make you feel very vulnerable and hypersensitive to what for you is a scary situation.we have all been where you are now with similar feelings. Over breathing can make you feel dizzy. Do yourself a favour and breath long slow breaths.

This will enable you to take back control and reduce your effects.

On you tube there are many techniques you can try.

While you are waiting for a definitive diagnosis base on evidence,

Remember you are not alone on this journey.

Keep off doctor goggle.

Your medical team will keep you safe and are highly specialised.

Interpreting data relating to you is best left to your team.

This site is here to support you and try to put your mind at rest.

Gradually you will find your safe space and begin to make sense of your condition.

Take care

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Bluedog16, sorry to hear that you are experiencing dizzy spells, they are not very nice at all. It would be best to talk to your doctor again about these and your raised platelets and perhaps get the level checked again as platelets do go up and down all the time so it is best to get them checked again. Kind regards, Maz

[Irishgal12]

I understand your worry so many things can increase platelets. There prob needs to be a trend of them being high for further investigation I assume it will be repeated

[Lynne-G]

Hi, relatively this isn't a high reading. Anxiety and stress are known elevators. Dizziness is a by product of how you are feeling, anxious and stressed. If you can , just take time to sit , slowly deep breathe and just focus on you. Imagine a fast beating heart and your breathing slowing it down. You are okay. Let the Drs do the worrying ❤

[flirt_2015]

I understand your anxiety, try 7/11 breathing technique.works wonders for me. Get it on utube. Hope you feel better soon

[Lifam]

Hi, platelets do elevated even when on medication. Also depends on individual condition, do you have a MPN specialist, if not, you need one and have proper diagnosis. Your platelet count is infact not that high, in Australia our normal range is 150-450. Hope you'll have a specialist who can give you proper treatment

[Cassie11]

Sorry you are anxious, I suffer from bouts of this so I know how you feel. I would have thought your platelets would be low with anaemia, but I'm not a doctor. Definitely go back to your GP and explain how you feel and ask questions. Try not to worry if you can, ask for a 2and opinion if needed. Even if you do have an MPN it is manageable, don't let the word cancer frighten you. Best of health, Cassie

[Cja1956 in reply to Cassie11]

It’s my understanding that low hemoglobin counts cause anemia. I got diagnosed with ET in 2008 due to high platelets. It wasn’t until 2018, that my dr said I had become anemic due to my hemoglobin dropping below normal, although my platelets were in the 700’s. Mine was not due to low iron. I changed doctors in September, had a bmb, and found out I had progressed to MF.

[Scrollernut]

I, too, was diagnosed about the same time. My platelets were slowly increasing over a year before I was sent to an hematologist. He ran a more thorough blood work. We came up with a plan of action of taking some blood thinning meds. I’ve been on one plus aspirin for just over three weeks and the count has slightly decreased so it’s working. I’m curious as to why you went on this forum. Have you gotten any kind of diagnosis yet?

As far as the dizziness is concerned my doc said dehydration is a major factor even tho one may think they’re drinking enough just plain water, it’s usually not enough. I’ve increased my water intake considerably (now making my home in the bathroom🤪) and it has helped some. Only been doing that a week. Still having headaches but not quiet as severe. Haven’t drank soda pop in a long time and trying to cut back on tea now. Caffeine can cause headaches and dizziness as well. I’m a sweet tea junkie. Too much sugar. So now in addition to adding more water I drink a small glass before my tea. I’m finding I don’t finish a whole glass of tea now. Less caffeine and much less sugar.

Anytime we get an abnormal return on any test it can be very scary but with today’s medical treatments most can be at least treatable if not cured. Do get more work done and get an answer. When I finally got a definitive answer I could handle it knowing the treatment. Not knowing was the worse.

Good luck and keep us informed. 😍. By the way I’m 77.

[Bluedog16 in reply to Scrollernut]

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I'm glad you are on the right track with your health. You are right, it is scary, especially when my doctor didn't even mention my platelets - only pointing out that my iron was low and to continue taking my supplements. Going back and looking at my numbers, mine have slowly increased as well over the last 2 years. What were you eventually diagnosed with?

The reason why I joined this forum was because it's been on mind all month long and of course I googled: elevated platelets and dizziness and it scared me to death. I then came across this forum and thought it may be a good idea to ask my question here.

[Scrollernut]

I’ll share with you my diagnosis but please understand this DOES NOT in any way mean you could have the same. I have essential thrombocythemia (ET) with a jak6v167f mutation. It’s a mouthful but means I have a particular blood disorder. My blood makes too many red platelets. ET is one of a group of disorders called MPN...myeloproliferative neoplasms. There are other reasons for a high count tho. That’s why it very important to get a specialist to call the diagnosis. It is scary but as I mentioned getting answers took some, not all, of the scariness away. Knowing what I’m dealing with and knowing it is not life threatening was a relief. Yes, there are some difficulties such as tiredness, headaches and dizziness but I plan my day around how I feel with no apologies if I choose to do nothing. It’s only been 3 weeks since starting meds so I still have a lot of improvements. And just so you know I’m on Hydrea 500 mg, 1 a day. Pretty low dose compared to some, and aspirin. The idea is to thin out the blood. Hope this helps.