Update 8.1 - post venesection

[hunter5582]

I followed up on my planned venesection on March 26. I had a CBC done today. the results look good. HCT=42.1%, down from 47.3%. The next planned CBC is April 26. We will see how things look then.

NEUT came back up a bit, now at 1.30. So low, but acceptable level of neutropenia.

LYMPH dropped below our target of > 0.50. Now at 0.49. Though below the target of acceptable lymphopenia, i am not particularly concerned since the LYMPH has been cycling up and down. It will likely come back up on its own.

My A1C number is steadily dropping. I had an appointment with my PCP today. We confirmed that we will continue with the plan to continue with healthy diet, weight loss and exercise. No other intervention for prediabetes is indicated at this point.

In the most important parameter, I continue to feel fine. My quality of life is very good, which is what matters the most.

I will confirm the plan to stay at 175mcg Besremi with my MPN care team. I do not anticipate any need to change.

Wishing all of you all the best

[DougyW]

Thats all good to hear Hunter. Have a good Easter

[azaelea]

Sounds good Hunter. Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter.

[Lyndjs]

Thank you for sharing and explaining everything hunter5582 ,youre so kind and thoughtful, to do this. Seeing the ranges is very interesting. So good to hear you're feeling fine and your quality if life is good 🙂

Happy Easter 🐣🐰🐣 x

[gjh8733]

thanks for sharing your data Hunter. Nice 5% drop in Hct from the phlebotomy. Hoping for stable figures for you going forward!

[Jamesxyz]

Wow that did the trick.

How long do youthink before you need another one?

[hunter5582 in reply to Jamesxyz]

Hopefully at least a year. Preferably never again.

[Jamesxyz in reply to hunter5582]

Hard to believe that such a primitive procedure that dates back to the

dark ages is still being done!

[Jamesxyz in reply to Jamesxyz]

Hi again,

Any chance you could post your LFTs if available, Id be curious to see the actual numbers ALT, ASG, etc?

Thanks

[saltmarsh]

Congrats on a good report. All your input here is invaluable. Continued success and best wishes going forward.

[KLCTJC]

Great news!!! Happy 🐣

[Poppy6060]

Good news keep well and happy xx

[originalmyndzi]

Hi Hunter,

Happy to see that phleb worked so well for you. I've just started back on PEGASYS after a 2 month hiatus and still have to supplement with phlebotomy until I get my dosage stabilized, but they beat me up so badly. Which leads to my question.....are you comfortable sharing your A1C number? I've just had my monthly numbers run with a few extras and my A1C came in at 5.5 (last test in 2022 was 5.6) which is indicated as an "at risk" number, although it's noted that anemia can skew the results higher (ferritin and iron are currently at 5). My Dad developed late onset type 2 diabetes, so with all things considered I'm trying to understand my risk.

[hunter5582]

My recent numbers are A1C 10/05 = 5.9, 2/22 = 5.5, 3/19 = 5.7. Most of the time my actual glucose numbers are in the high 80s or 90s on any given day.

I believe that iron deficiency anemia can cause a false high read on A1C. I do not know whether iron deficiency without anemia would do the same thing. I read that a reduced RBC turnover can falsely elevate A1C. I do not know whether the interferons can have this affect. I have not seen any data on this. This a a great question for our MPN expert panel.

I think the best thing to do, which is what i am doing, is to assume that there is risk of progressing from the prediabetes and take prudent measures. It starts with weight loss, healthy diet and exercise. Medications can be considered but need to be considered cautiously due to the other medications we take.

All the best.

[Spanelmad]

Glad to hear everything going to plan again!! Thank you for posting the average reference charts it will be a great help

[hunter5582 in reply to Spanelmad]

Hope your plan is working out as well. Note that those are the reference ranges from my hematologist's lab. You may see different reference ranges elsewhere.

[Lilbert]

Sounds all good Hunter. Wishing you a happy Easter.

[lizzziep]

Good news! Onwards and upwards! 😊

[Mostew]

happy Easter to you Hunter . Glad venesection was a success.

[dogsandhorses]

Looks like good news. Best wishes, and Happy Easter.

[Hidden]

great news to hear for you Hunter. Wishing you all continues well.

[gilded]

That’s sounds very encouraging, Hunter. Thanks for keeping us in the picture since all info such as yours is of great help.

[johoho]

Great news, long may it continue.