Hi
After blood test results the doctor phoned me to tell me the results show high platelets, 485.Until yesterday hadn’t heard of them!
Googled ‘high platelets’ know I shouldn’t have! Keeps mentioning lung cancer 🥺
Any advice, help, same situation be welcomed! 👀
Hi JoJenx and welcome to our forum. Did your doctor discuss a referral to a haematologist at all, or any further tests to look into your platelet count? Or even discuss any possible diagnosis with you, particularly with regards to possibly having a myeloproliferative neoplasm, perhaps essential thrombocythaemia (ET)?
It’s possible for conditions other than ET to cause a high platelet count. Your haematologist will need to rule out any other possible underlying causes before making a diagnosis. Some conditions that increase the platelet count include:
Infection
Inflammatory disorders, for example arthritis
Acute or chronic blood loss
Tissue damage from trauma or surgery
Splenectomy (removal of the spleen) or hyposplenism (when the spleen stops working)
Some other blood conditions can cause a high platelet count
You will obviously get a lot of information on Google about different reasons for having high platelets, which can be quite scary and distressing. I would advise that you read the information we have on our website which will tell you about MPNs, as your raised platelets may be indication that you have a MPN, however, you will need further investigations to determine this. A normal platelet count is 150 - 450.
mpnvoice.org.uk/about-mpns/...
mpnvoice.org.uk/about-mpns/...
Best wishes, Maz
Thanks for replying! & for the welcome&info, much appreciated! It’s eased my concerns! Greatly!
High platelets = thrombocytosis. The top of the refence range for platelets varies by lab, but 450 (10^3/uL) which=450,000/microliter is considered the top of the range used for a diagnosis of thombocytosis. You did not mention how high your platelets are. This does matter.
Thrombocytosis can occur for a variety of reasons. It can either be primary or secondary. Primary thrombocytosis is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) called Essential Thrombocythemia (ET). Thrombocytosis can also be secondary to another condition. Iron deficiency, bleeding, inflammation, injury, and other medical conditions can cause your body to make too many platelets (reactive thombocytosis).
The next step will be to determine the cause of the thrombocytosis. The doctor will look for conditions known to cause thrombocytosis. The assessment for a MPN is typically done by a hematologist. The doc will start with some blood tests that should include checking for the known driver mutations for ET, which are JAK2, CALR, and MPL. These mutations affect hemopoietic stem cells (the blood cell progenitor) and cause them to make too many of various types of blood cells.
Note - I was diagnosed with ET bout 30 years ago. It progressed to Polycythemia Vera about 8 years ago. Still alive and kicking and living a good life. Best advice at this point is to not panic, but get informed and follow up ASAP. Many conditions that cause thrombocytosis are easily treated. People who do have ET typically live a relatively normal lifespan. This is something that can be managed.
Note that is you do have a MPN, it is important to consult with a MPN Specialist. Most hematologists do not have the KSAs to provide optimal care for these very rare disorders. Just in case you end up needing it, here is a list mpnforum.com/list-hem./ .
Hope you get answers soon.
Just noted that you did mention platelets = 485. This is just barely over the top of the normal range (450). There are many reasons why your platelets can be mildly elevated. It is normal for platelets to vary by as much as 100 in a single day in response to things happening in your body.
Hope you get answers soon.
Thank you so much! For your reply & info about all this, which is all very new to me.. so you replying is much appreciated!
Your information as greatly reduced my fears so Thanks again for that!
Best wishes.
Yes - you would normally have bloods checked a few times to see if this is a regular or odd level !
My doc kept track of my platelets for 3 years before sending me to a hematologist just to rule out any other cause. Of course kept track of general health to make sure everything was “working” ok. So yeah one count should be looked at but not stopped at. My count slowly kept going up over the 3 years so when close to 500 she sent me for a referral. All she did was keep me informed they were creeping up. The hemo will run more blood work up to see what’s going on. Waiting for the results was the hardest but hey 90% of our lives we’re waiting on something! Right? Let the docs do what they’re trained to do, sit back with your tea and enjoy our beautiful summer. At least beautiful here in Chicago land. Keep us informed with your progress and if you need more personal info just ask but for medical questions ask the doctors. We’re NOT qualified to give medical advice only what we do and how we feel and deal with it Everyone with same diagnosis will not react to meds or treatment regardless of what the condition it is. Never compare yourself with others no matter what…physically or medically. Be your own person. Love.
Thanks for replying and the advice!I feel easier about my recent shock & so glad my daughter found this forum for me.. as I’d never heard of ‘high platelets’ until doctor rang to discuss blood test results few days ago.
So talking to others here & the the replies received am more clued up on it now.
I’ve always been the type to live for today as none of us know what 2moro will bring & hoping to maintain that outlook no matter what.. ThanX!
Best wishes to you & you enjoy summer t👀! 🌞
Maz has given a fab reply nothing I can add. Good lick
I have ET and my platelets just came down from about 600 to over 500. My haematologist says they are stable and no cause to worry, even though they have been consistently rising for two years. I also have RARS and my haemoglobin cells continue to fall. Another blood test will determine whether I need erythropoeitin injections. Otherwise, I just continue with aspirin to stop the platelets clumping. If you haven't been diagnosed with anything, I wouldn't worry, as platelets rise and fall all the time.
Thanks.. hope that’s the case & hope diagnosis will prove that. I appreciate you replying!
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