Raised platelets

[Alee1]

Raised platelets. Hi all. I just had the results of my blood test. I have had about a stone in weight loss over six months, my job has changed, I worry a lot, and I have tried to watch my diet so maybe that is why but now he has just told me my platelet count is 417. The rest of the results were normal. Can anyone help? Does this indicate cancer?

[troy04]

I know it is worrying but elevated level of platelets does not mean you have cancer. I am guessing the measurement is 417 x 10^9/L (417,000 platelets per microliter). Your doctor needs to first establish if abnormal cells in the bone marrow is causing an increase in platelets (Primary thrombocytosis) or is it because there are inflammation / Anemia / Spleen disorder etc (Secondary thrombocytosis)... Cancer can cause this but more tests are needed to establish this. I am assuming another blood test may be conducted a few months later to conclude if this high count is persistent. If the diagnosis is Primary, there are medicines (drugs) to reduce it. In case of secondary - it is required to investigate and establish the actual reason.

[Alee1 in reply to troy04]

Thank you that’s helped a lot. Yes another test in 3 ish months. Thanks for taking the time to write that for me 😊