Platelet count high

[Fenella34]

Scared about high platelet count.

I am 35, I have ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Since last November, I have had regular blood monitoring and a chest x ray. I have been on methotrexate since then and prednisolone for a year (5mg, now weaning off).

My doctor always says my bloods are great. Yet I got a write up yesterday which said the opposite. My neutrophils were 7.9, MCV 103 and platelets, 461. These are not normal readings. I don't understand why my doctor said everything was great just last week when it clearly is not. I am now petrified I have cancer.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[Marionfromhappydays]

Sorry your test results are causing you anxiety, for my lab the neutrophil count would be normal and the MCV is so slightly over its doubtful it would be deemed significant but next to yours you will have the reference ranges for your lab.

Your platelet count as you said is slightly raised, what has it been like in previous tests, is this a one off is there a trend to your results.

It is a common occurrence in chronic diseases to have changes to your blood results, I am slightly anaemic and have been for over a year (my Haemoglobin is low) and also my serum albumin runs slightly low, these results don't mean alot without looking at the bigger picture ie my inflammatory arthritis is not controlled, these changes are common in chronic disease.

You have chronic inflammatory disease this is one possible underlying cause for raised platelets (put photo below).

There are alot of possible reasons for raised platelets ranging from having an infection all the way through to more severe things.

When i was at uni the medical students were taught

"Why look for zebras? In medical training, we're taught, “When you hear hoof beats, look for horses, not for zebras.” This means to look for common causes of a patient's presentation rather than searching for unlikely diagnoses or rare diseases."

If your Dr is not concerned by this then I would find this reassuring. There are alot of times when Drs should be challenged about things so its always good to be proactive so if its worrying you I would definitely ask. Without sounding patronising which I definitely do not mean to be it can be really scary looking at results we don't really understand. X

[oldtimer]

What makes you think that you have cancer? Do you have other symptoms or signs that are worrying you? You need to discuss your worries with your doctor as it seems that the reassurance he/she is giving is not what you are hearing.

Without knowing what the normal range for the lab that did these blood tests, it's difficult to comment on the absolute values, but it is always a good idea to look for trends in blood tests rather than a one off result, as they do often vary considerably because of the limitations of testing and variations in your health.

[AgedCrone]

If you had cancer your doctor is ethically responsible to tell you....& send you for treatment......so you should stop worrying. You are reading blood tests where the norm is registered on a person with no known diseases ....with both ulcerative colitis & RA your blood will not necessarily match up to those figures. When your doctor says your bloods are great ...he means they are great for YOU with your underlying health condition.

Next time you see your doctor ask him how your bloods will differ from somebody with no underlying health problems.......tell him how worried you are & ask him to confirm your diagnosis.

More people probably feel worse worrying about what is not wrong with them...than what is!

[Fenella34]

Thanks all. Someone said they were referred to the cancer unit with a high platelet reading so I am extremely anxious. I just have no idea why it was not mentioned over the phone or in the write up that there was an elevation in this reading.

[Garnacha]

Hi, I don't pretend to understand your results & never really understand mine but at my last appointment I asked why next to a couple of the results such as MCV etc it had high , I was told that due to the medication these were expected & nothing to worry about, however I spoke to the lady last Thursday who books my blood tests & she said 3 of them were marked in red but the Dr had said no need to retest for 2 - 3 months even though I have to have them monthly because of methotrexate. To put your mind at rest ask them at your next opportunity x

[Fenella34 in reply to Garnacha]

Thanks. I do wonder at times if the results can be abnormal but they wait and see if it becomes a trend.

[Franjen]

Results can often be like foreign language. I freq. ask MD to explain. Often helps the worry.

[Water-nymph]

I was diagnosed with RA in the 1970s and I've been taking methotrexate since Methuselah was a lad but still have the occasional blip with my blood results. Just bear in mind, we have a disease so our bloods are unlikely to compare favourably with those of people with no disease. However, my results have been all over the place for the last few months due to an upsy-downsy ongoing dental infection. I only have 3 monthly blood tests now but my GP phones and tells me to have an extra one if my results are a bit dodgy and I trust his judgement. I urge you not to Google anything medical, it's never a good idea to try to self-diagnose, and to ask your medical experts for the answers about your test results and the management of your disease.

[Maramara]

I got anemia from this methotrexate, and the doctors always denied it. Had also liver toxicity which in medical terms was a form of hepatitis Bcs the dosage as too high, also denied it. My hair was falling off and I was always nauseous and dizzy, they were also denied it can be from methotrexate. My lungs got sensitive... another denial! Not to mention dryness in my body( skin, in and out)! Deniaalll was all I could get from them.I had to quit this medication Bcs they were trying to give me iron infusion, while that was happening I got a severe shock, was about to die! I don t trust them anymore!