I had a routine follow-up with my specialist yesterday and my platelets are higher than usual. I'm very low risk ET (MPL), on daily aspirin only. They've been hovering around low 600s for well over a year now. Yesterday's count was 800. This is the first time one of my appointments has coincided with "that time of the month". I did mention that I was menstruating to my specialist when we discussed my platelet count and he thought it could definitely be contributing.
He wasn't at all concerned with the number, given I feel and have been feeling well. But I will have my count repeated in month or so (not during "that time") because I'm curious and he was kind enough to agree to order it, for my peace of mind. (I know there is no magic number but that jump was jarring to see!)
Perhaps not coincidentally, I woke up this morning with a sore throat and some achiness (likely from one of my kiddos who has some sniffles and similar symptoms since Sunday). So I suppose that's another possible explanation for the rise.
To the ladies in this group with ET who are still menstruating, I'm wondering if you've noticed any patterns in your platelet counts when menstruating?
And to those of you in this group who have an MPN, have you had your platelet counts taken during an illness? And if so, how much of a difference did you see?
Thanks in advance!
Written by
ETinNYC
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
My PLT used to routinely cycle between the 500s and 700s, spiking into the 900s when something was going on to trigger reactive thrombocytosis. It is normal for PLT to change by as much as 100K in a single day. Any kind of bleeding event, infection, injury, or illness can trigger reactive thrombopoiesis. It is more noticable for those of us who already have thrombocytosis since we are more regularly monitoring our PLT levels.
Thanks Hunter! This is the first time I've seen a swing after barely budging up or down by much. I guess the repeat will tell what's happening. Appreciate the speedy reply. Happy New Year and thanks for always being so generous with sharing your own experiences. I've learned a lot from you!
Hi, I looked into this a couple of months back as I had one reading where my platelets had dropped, then risen again. The drop was during menstruation, menstruation can cause your platelets to drop not to the same extent as pregnancy does. Infection and illness always causes mine to rise. Are you seeing an MPN specialist? Any fluctuations in my blood work and my team have me back in, for the past year I’ve been seen every 8-10 weeks as mines all over the shop. I hope they’re listening to you with regards to your symptoms, I started on hydroxy because of the symptoms as opposed to the blood results my platelets were only on the 500’s but I was having horrendous night sweats, fatigue and my circulation is pretty bad, we don’t want it getting any worse! Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and go with your gut too!
Hi I am elderly have ET.just had bld test platelets are 266..I have had and still have a virus had test during feeling ill. I take aspirin and Anagrelide have been doing so 4 yrs.
I know it’s worrying. In November I had majority r surgery (a wWhipple procedure from r a family rn of pancreatic cancer).I have both incredibly back and am back ritually back to normal life now, surprising the surgical team and myself included.
I saw my haematologist this week and it seems that my platelets are raised and my haemoglobin. She wasn’t too concerned as apparently it’s too be expected against er surgery but they’re going to make motor over the next few weeks.
I’m just feeling disappointed as I feel so well.
(Platelets now 450+ normally well controlled with minimal Hydroxy Carbamife & Aspirin at 350+£
I agree with platelets changing for no obvious reason and then in direct response to something. I have had 150k swings between morning and afternoon. Had to get retested one day because of suspicious potassium result. I have been able to get more consistent results by getting tested after fasting which means being there when the lab opens in the AM and tested on the same day of week. Known triggers for me are after serious exercise, having an illness, and after getting a vaccine (shingles vac was worst). Platelets respond to injury and stress. Doctor frequently says to look for trends. Hoping your numbers will trend down again.
I have MPL mutation, mine is non-canonical. If I experience a lot of bleeding during my period, then platelets increase and stay high for a while.
As already stated by other people, anything that causes bleeding or an inflammatory insult (e.g., surgery, infections, wounds, broken bone, any other sort of physical trauma, autoimmune response, etc.) will increase platelet count.
I couldn't clear a virus some years ago and for all that period my platelets went from ~500000 to ~750000. Once I cleared the virus, platelets went back to ~500000.
Platelets play an important role in immunity, so it makes sense they increase in number when the body has some immune challenge.
My doc is a well regarded MPN specialist, so I'm in good hands and feel fortunate for that. He's not concerned with this change. I've been trying to tell myself if he isn't, then I shouldn't be! But given it's such a departure from prior numbers, it feels a bit shocking. (To those of you who have been doing this for many, many years I'm sure it's not as jarring.)
I've been feeling well (aside from this cold/sore throat that is more intense/worse today) and I have no symptoms from my MPN (thankfully). I do know infection can increase the platelets. Would be fascinating if it went up in response to something my body was fighting off the day before I felt the symptoms. I suppose we'll see what the repeat shows. I'll keep you all posted.
Thanks for your support. I feel fortunate to have found this community!! 🥰
Hi my highest ever platelets count was after having Covid the level dropped quite quickly after . I am convinced it was related Haematologist wasn’t sure . Not menstruating any longer.. so can’t comment . But there seems to be a logic there . L
I've had my blood taken during an illness recently and my platelets rose. They were 193,000 higher than my last reading. I hope this information helps. Stress also raises platelets so try to remain calm as well. All the best of health to you. 💞
Hi! Wow.. iv been wondering the same thing! I'm triple negative..rbc and wbc normal, all testing available came up good.. I asked my specialist about this possibility of that time of month and even possible peri menopausal and she said not a chance..but I wonder!!.. my platelets are around 750.. 800 iv had slightly high platelets most of my adult life..im so glad you shared your thoughts!!
My specialist said that women who have heavier menses or menstrual periods that go for more than just 2-3 days can see a rise in platelets as a reactive process to the bleeding and also at times can be transiently iron deficient which apparently also spurs platelet production. But, as with many things, sometimes the science says one thing and our bodies do another!I will circle back to this group to let you know what I get on my repeat count...in case it helps any other lady in our midst with a similar query. Although, given whatever virus I picked up, that may also be confounding the picture a bit. We shall see.
I was only diagnosed after my periods stopped, (premature menopause at 26), My platelets run at around 1200 on average and have since I was diagnosed about 10 years ago. I too am just on aspirin, but because my platelets have been so high for so long, I go next week to discuss treatment, but because I also have neurofibromatosis-1, haematology have been reluctant to prescribe.
I can't see menstruation affecting platelets, because they aren't linked to hormones, but as I say, mine stopped so I don't know from personal experience. They definitely need checking again though
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Does anyone know where in the body interferon reduces the platelet count?
Platelet count
Does anyone have any knowledge/experience of reducing platelet count by collection (thrombapheresis)?
High platelet count? Anagrelide? Hydroxyurea?
High platelet count
