I posted recently that I’m 51 and platelets have consistently been slightly elevated for 5 years. They were consistently 400-450 until last month they were 500 at annual checkup and then 469 a week later when I saw the hematologist. My WBC is often a little high as well, recently 11 (I often wonder if that’s a stress/panic reaction because I am terrified for all of this and before and at appts) Red counts are normal to high normal with hematocrit just over normal recently.
5 years ago I had extensive lab work done and was negative for all the mutations. 3.5 years ago I had a BMB which was normal. My iron was low 5 years ago (although not anemic obviously) but it was never mentioned to me and on test I just had it was normal - ferritin 25. I was frankly hoping it would be low and that would be the reason for all of this.
Saw new hematologist (one I saw formerly in same practice had long wait). Young but seems attentive and well trained (in major metro area). He’s basically like “don’t worry, come back in 3 months, seems reactive and benign.”
But…reactive to what? I have no symptoms. My cholesterol is high and I just started a statin. Is that the kind of inflammation that could cause a platelet elevation? I have a lot of anxiety about health and this has been hellish for me. I’ve read any literature I can find about whether stress, excess belly fat (need to lose 20) , cholesterol can cause the kind of “inflammation” that can cause high platelets but can’t find solid answers from credible sources or journals. The Dr said no when I asked about stress causing the high platelets.
I’m exercising like crazy and have already lost 10 lbs, eating an anti inflammatory diet, meditating etc. but my anxiety is so high it may counteract any of those things.
My biggest worry is that it’s not an MPN even but some occult cancer. Dr really discounted that as a possibility (and it’s been 5 years since this began). I had colonoscopy, pelvic u/s and mammo about 10 months ago.
I just don’t know what to think and I’m having a hard time waiting for three months…I reached out to another hematologist for a 2nd opinion but they are booked until fall. I called Hopkins, but you need a referral to go there.