Covid and platelets

[EdwinaJ]

I’ve been on treatment for triple negative ET for almost three years now., taking Hydroxycarbomide (2 one day snd 3 the next) plus aspirin.

Over the last year my platelets have come down to 540. However, since my last test three months ago, I have had Covid and a Covid vaccine. My blood test result yesterday showed the platelets had risen to 725.

My consultant is away for two weeks and I am concerned at what this means.

I would be so grateful for any advice.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hello Edwina, platelets can go up and down, and an infection, like a cold, can make them rise, so it may be because you have had COVID. You can contact your haematology nurse specialist in the department to discuss this with her, and she could speak to one of the other haematologists in the department for you. Best wishes, Maz

[EdwinaJ in reply to Mazcd]

Thank you Maz x

[saltmarsh]

I agree with Maz. My own experience is that any infection will drive up the platelets. Hang in there.

[EdwinaJ in reply to saltmarsh]

Thank you. It just seemed a big jump after they have been going down slowly for a while now.

[hunter5582]

As the others suggested, this is consistent with reactive thrombocytosis due to an infection. This is a very common reaction, a normal response by the body. i would not sweat it. It is only increases that sustain over time that can be a concern.

All the best.

[EdwinaJ in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you. I just hope they go down soon.

[Scrollernut]

Interesting. I had COVID but it didn’t affect my counts. Maybe it was just because of the infection. It amazes me how the same problems can cause different reactions in us. Especially COVID. Drs tell me they just don’t know why COVID affects people so differently. Weird disease. Good luck with the counts.

[EdwinaJ in reply to Scrollernut]

Thank you. It’s been such a long process getting the levels down and I was so hopeful they were going to be in a good place this time. Will keep going and maybe 2024 will see an improvement.

[Wyebird]

I don’t think covid affected my platelet counts but we are all different and I agree with others infections push up our pesky platelets.

For me 2yrs in I still have high ferritin levels 800+ at one time. ( it was a little on the high side prior to covid ) Apparently Covid increases that also.

Hope you recovered from covid fully.

[Hydrox]

Hi, my platelet count went up after having Covid both times.

[EdwinaJ in reply to Hydrox]

Thank you. I do feel reassured now.

[Exeter21]

Don’t worry mine rose with Covid & consultant told me it was normal . They come down again slowly 👍. Julia

[Ettu]

Hi.

I had a bad flu several months ago and my numbers really spiked in the next blood test.

Id be confident your spike is for much the same reasons

[Mike1974]

Hi Edwin's, My hematologist told me that if I was to get a covid booster I should make sure its Pfizer as the others can elevate platelets but on a temporary basis.

Now my platelets were 1400 at the time and I didn't need any elevation so I didn't take any booster and they still went up to 1700

They can jump around but I think stress is a big part of that.

Hopefully it's only a temporary thing..