Sharp rise in platelets

[EdwinaJ]

Hi everyone. I’m getting a bit anxious and would appreciate any advice please.

Three weeks ago my platelets were 569 having come down gradually over the last year from 800+ on a dose of 1000/1500 mg HU on alternate days.

Since then I have had a bout of food poisoning and a chest/throat infection and finished a course of anti biotics.

I saw my consultant yesterday and my platelets had increased to 909. I do realise that the numbers can vary but this seems to be a lot and I’m a bit shocked.

Has anyone else had this experience? Are there any tips you can share to help me bring these numbers down quickly please?

I’m seeing my consultant again in two weeks and he’s going to run some blood tests for inflammatory markers etc.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Edwina, I am so sorry to hear that you have been unwell, I hope you are feeling much better now. Platelets can rise due to infection, so it could very well be that they have increased due to your recent bouts of illness, but it is good that your haematologist is going to run some further tests to be sure that there is nothing else causing the rise. Hopefully they will have gone back down by the time you have the next blood test. Best wishes, Maz

[EdwinaJ in reply to Mazcd]

Thanks so much for your advice. It's much appreciated x

[saltmarsh]

I agree completely with Maz. I've had PV for the last 4+ years and also take HU with all blood numbers in the acceptable range. I have had a couple of times where the platelets jumped to over 850. In both instances they were related to an infection I was dealing with. Once that subsided the platelets returned to normal. Hopefully that will be the case for you. Good idea to run the tests but hopefully nothing to be concerned about. Best wishes going forward

[EdwinaJ in reply to saltmarsh]

thank you so much. I feel more reassured now. I just feel wiped out at the moment and concerned. Hopefully the numbers will be reduced when I go back. Fingers crossed

[saltmarsh in reply to EdwinaJ]

Believe me - I know that feeling. Every time I have blood work done I get pretty rattled until I see the results. You're not alone. We'll be thinking of you

[EdwinaJ]

That’s so kind of you. Thank you

[hunter5582]

Sorry to hear about the spike in PLT. This can happen as a result of reactive thombocytosis. I have had my PLTs like like that due to infection/inflammation.

The best thing to do is to treat the cause of the infection and give your body time to recover. It might be worth considering treating for systemic inflammation. I consult with an Integrative medicine doctor for this purpose.

Hopefully your body will restore to baseline within a few more weeks. You can recondiere options once you know that your body has had time to recover.

Please do let us know how you get on.

[EdwinaJ in reply to hunter5582]

Thanks Hunter. I will look into getting advice from an integrative medicine Dr. I'm normally a very va va voom person but my voom seems to have gone missing these last weeks! I feel much more hopeful having had such positive replies - I'll know much more in a few weeks time so have everything crossed for better results.

[Cassandra61]

I know this is a shock but it's good that you get to see your haematologist again fairly soon. Until that time, you could think about doing all the boring stuff such as eating well, whatever exercise you feel able to do, relaxing and resting and doing stuff you enjoy wherever possible so that you put your body in the best place for when you see your consultant next. Look after yourself and let us know how you get on.

[EdwinaJ in reply to Cassandra61]

Thanks Cassandra, I'm trying to do just that - and enjoying the first bit of nicer weather we've had [plenty of sunscreen!]. Just want my energy back and my platelets lower so fingers crossed for better results in a couple of weeks.

[Tipsy2023]

morning my platelets shot up after I had Covid . Returning to a more reasonable high quite quickly . L

[EdwinaJ in reply to Tipsy2023]

Thanks for your reply. I had covid last year and they weren't really affected for some reason. It's taken over a year to get them down to 560 from over 800 so I was upset when they had gone up so much so quickly. Got everything crossed they will have come down considerably when I go back in ten days or so.

[Jennytheb]

Hi Edwina, sorry to hear about your recent illness and the seemingly corresponding rise in platelets. Its good that you are getting immediate assistance! I agree with all that everyone has replied to you. It does seem that your illness has lead to a spike in platelets, I didn't know that could happen.

Luckily for me I am good with even constantly taking 3 x 500g Hydrea tablets a day and lead a perfectly normal life.

I just wanted to add, that don't know if its just me but at the appointments I had initially, I felt a bit stunned and wish I had been more forthcoming with queries I had. Wonder if it would be an idea to think about how you feel and queries before contact with consultant and even write down any, even little queries you may have. Just an idea.

Wishing you all the best, Jenny.

[EdwinaJ in reply to Jennytheb]

Thanks Jenny. I seem to have had one thing after another since last summer but it hadn't affected the platelet count in this way. I just want to get on top of it now.

[Exeter21]

yes they rise with infections or injuries . I had injury they rose also with infections. Even in past Covid caused mine to rise . I do not worry as Haemotology explained it . Stress can cause it too .👌

[EdwinaJ in reply to Exeter21]

Thanks for your reply. I'm just hoping they go down as quickly as they rose!

[Exeter21 in reply to EdwinaJ]

They will come down Edwina I am sure 👌

[Cassandra61]

Everything crossed for you and let us know how you get on.

[EdwinaJ in reply to Cassandra61]

Thanks Cassandra. Will do.